1996 Chrysler Concorde replacing steering rack

BILLBARNES

MEMBER
1996 CHRYSLER CONCORDE

1996 Chrysler Concorde 135000 miles

This repair was posted about another car.

"1. If a replacement steering gear is being installed, carefully grasp steering gear shaft and rotate until steering gear is in full left turn position. Rotate steering gear shaft back from full left turn position until master spline on steering gear shaft is aligned with master spline on steering gear coupling. With master spline aligned, attach steering gear to steering gear coupling. 2. If original steering gear is being installed, align mark on steering gear shaft with mark on steering gear coupling. With marks aligned, attach steering gear to steering gear coupling."

We are at this point. When we put the key into lock position the steering wheel is locking upside down. What do we need to adjust to get the steering wheel to lock upright?

3 Replies

MATHIASO

MECHANIC
1,209 POSTS

Turn the front wheels to the full left position.(Ok)
Then turn the wheels back in the other direction until the roll pin in the lower steering coupler is accessible.(Ok)

Turn the ignition key switch to the LOCK position to keep the steering column from rotating after the coupler is removed from the steering gear. (?)- Not done

If the steering column shaft rotates beyond the normal number of turns in either direction, the air bag clock spring will be damaged. (?) -This may alleready happen after intallation.

In general, you did everything right except those with question mark/or you maybe forget to mention them.
You will need make the wheels straight. Remove the coupling, making sure the key is not up side down, then align the splind again. The clockspring may be destroyed.
If you get abs light and hard styring after installation, you will need to replace the clockspring.

Let me know what happens.