Cannot remove the lower steering linkage from the rack and pinion

Tiny
SKYLINESE7EN
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 211,000 MILES
I am replacing my rack and pinion due to one of the main seals leaking. I am having a very hard time trying to remove the lower steering linkage from the steering rack. I've removed the pinch bolt and tried prying the pinch bracket/holder (?) Apart with a screw driver. There is some play in the linkage but it's as if there is a snap ring or something on the end preventing the shaft from sliding off. You can hear the shaft hitting something as you pull on it. If you check out the video, you can see what I'm talking about. Any ideas? Did I geek something up too bad?
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Saturday, May 24th, 2025 AT 8:00 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
CANNON1349
  • MECHANIC
  • 864 POSTS
Hello, yes, the intermediate shaft is telescopic and should move up and down. At this point it looks like you have it loose. It should compress further and move away from the rack. You can try spraying PB blaster or WD40 to convince it to come off. You can also use a small, thin cold chisel and lightly tap it into the pinch bolt area, not much, just enough to get the chisel stuck in there, and it should come out that way too. Sometimes I just let the weight of the rack pull it off, however this is easier with a lift as you can control how much weight comes down off of it.

Hope this helps,
William
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Saturday, May 24th, 2025 AT 5:41 PM
Tiny
SKYLINESE7EN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Hey William! Thanks for the reply. I was able to get it off finally. I ended up cutting the pinion off the rack and then disconnected the shaft from the upper linkage so I could pull the lower linkage out (and of course finally being able to remove the rack from the vehicle). I was replacing the rack anyway so there was no need to save it.

Now I can see what's going on with the bracket and figure out why it wouldn't separate. It turns out (no pun intended, ha!) That I had geeked up the splines when I was banging on it to get it to separate earlier when only rust was holding it on. Those messed up splines formed a ridge which prevented the shaft from sliding out further. Lesson learned.
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Sunday, May 25th, 2025 AT 8:11 AM
Tiny
CANNON1349
  • MECHANIC
  • 864 POSTS
Hello,

Wow, that sounds like it was frustrating! Yes, sometimes banging on things will deform it, and make the job worse! However I am glad you figured it out. If we can help you further please let us know, and thanks for using 2Carpros.

William
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Sunday, May 25th, 2025 AT 8:18 AM

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