Steering Rack replacement....been there, done that got the skinned knuckles to prove it! (took about 6 hrs w/ certain special tools, a lift and a competent friend)
First, there ARE inner and outer tie rod ends; the outers attach the tie rods to the steering knuckles thru 90 deg rod ends, while the inners are part of the tie rods attach them to the rack thru in-line rod ends. These are cylindrical dohickeys about an inch-inch & a half or so in diameter, about an inch long with a big hex on part of the OD for adjusting. I'm pretty sure they're buried under the boots (It's been a few years since I did this job).
It isn't really difficult until you try to get the damn thing out. Once everying is disconnected, the fun begins as you try to negotiate the rack out. There is a triangular shaped opening among all the frame/suspension parts that is JUST BARELY LARGE ENOUGH to fit the steering gear thru and you'll have lot's of fun jockeying the rack past it.
Special tools?
-18mm crow's foot for the pressure line connections at the steering gear.
-Tie rod end tool to "pop" the friction fit cones of the outer tie rod ends from the steering knuckle (or you can try the hammer method of loosening the nuts, backing up one side of the knuckle with a large brass bar, a whacking the other side with a sharp hammer blow---this deforms the cone shape enough to pop the cones apart. Never hit the tie rod end directly with a hammer. I don't care how hard you hit it, it won't pop the cones and it will damage the part. )
-band-aids
-lot's of hand-cleaning goop---you'll need it!
Suggestions:
-If you're gonna do this yourself, get a GM (Helms) service manual. Trust me on this, Haynes always makes it sound simpler than it is.
-I also suggest buying new outer tie rod ends--they do not come with the new rack.
-Lastly, when removing the tie rod ends, count the number of turns so you can install to the same number of turns on the new rack to guesstimate your toe-in.
hope this helps!
Tedster
