Replacing steering coupling

#1

I’m replacing my steering coupling. (It’s the universal joint between the steering column & rack that has the rubber guibo/flex disc in the middle of it. My present one is frozen moving in one direction.
Anyway, Bentley’s says the rack has to come off so as to separate enough to get old out & new in. Since this is a pain, can’t I somehow pull the steering column up some thru the firewall? Anyone know if this is this possible or also an equal or greater PITA?
thanx,
tom

#2

Tom - I recently replaced a steering rack, and removed the whole coupling assembly. IIRC, if you loosen the top bolt, on the splined shaft assembly close to the firewall, you can push the whole assembly up to get it off of the steering rack. It is a PITA, because the splines hold on tight to the joints. Use a big screw driver, or pry bar to spread the joint. Some PB blaster or WD-40 may help. You may need to loosen the rack some by taking out the mounting bolts, and bending the lower tabs down some to move the rack forward, but you may not. I think this is worth a try compared to the alternative you mentioned, that sounds much more difficult.
Ed

#3

tomzzy wrote:

[quote]I’m replacing my steering coupling. (It’s the universal joint between the steering column & rack that has the rubber guibo/flex disc in the middle of it. My present one is frozen moving in one direction.
Anyway, Bentley’s says the rack has to come off so as to separate enough to get old out & new in. Since this is a pain, can’t I somehow pull the steering column up some thru the firewall? Anyone know if this is this possible or also an equal or greater PITA?
thanx,
tom[/quote]This job Sucks. Make sure you have the correct replacement part since the Airbag cars have a different column and the U joint is different. Good Luck. I hated this job.

#4

I already ordered the part being unaware there were 2 choices. I better check. Got a 50-50 shot I got the right one. Fingers crossed.

#5

I know this thread is a bit stale…

I replaced the steering rack and coupler, too. The coupler was straight from hell. We used a pry bar and screw drivers to open up the clamps, but it took an air hammer and a pickle fork to get that sucker out.

Getting it back on wasn’t much easier. :stuck_out_tongue:

#6

Scotty wrote:

[quote]I know this thread is a bit stale…

I replaced the steering rack and coupler, too. The coupler was straight from hell. We used a pry bar and screw drivers to open up the clamps, but it took an air hammer and a pickle fork to get that sucker out.

Getting it back on wasn’t much easier. :P[/quote]That sounds about right.

#7

Good job - air hammer, huh. Didn’t use that, but will try it next time. One of the worst jobs I have done on my car.
Ed