Rack and pinion replacement

Tiny
JJP1062
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 KIA SPECTRA
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
Looking to replace the rack and pinion in the car listed above and just wanted to know if it can be done with dropping subframe? Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks!
Wednesday, June 29th, 2022 AT 4:10 PM

27 Replies

Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

Replacing the rack does not require the removal of the subframe.

I have attached the replacement procedure below for your reference.

Let me know of any questions.
Thank you.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, June 29th, 2022 AT 9:54 PM
Tiny
JJP1062
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Thank you. I thought I would escape doing it by using some stop leak but it never worked. Guess I will have to start it tomorrow. Thanks for the help!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 6th, 2022 AT 6:50 PM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
You are welcome.
Let me know how it goes.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Wednesday, July 6th, 2022 AT 10:08 PM
Tiny
JJP1062
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Got it done but now steering wheel is off center about 1/4 turn.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 11th, 2022 AT 9:57 AM
Tiny
JJP1062
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Not sure if rack wasn't centered when installed or the toe is out.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 11th, 2022 AT 10:19 AM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
This is probably due to having the steering wheel off centered during install. Which can happen quite easily.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 11th, 2022 AT 11:19 PM
Tiny
JJP1062
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
You saying I have to drop that rack again? Is there a way to get it out of the spline inside without having to drop the rack again? I tried to get it out of the spline, but it wouldn't come out. I may have to drop that side enough to get it out, do I?

Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 AT 5:38 AM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Unfortunately, without dropping the rack you won't be able to re-align the shaft. Some vehicles you can remove just the center mounting bolts to have just enough room.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
JJP1062
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Okay, thanks! I only need to lower it just a tad to get it out of intermediate shaft knuckle underneath steering wheel so I can straighten the steering wheel. I was thinking of just removing the 2 bolts on the driver said and see if I can drop it down just enough to get it out of the spline. I only need to get the steering wheel straight. If I have to drop it all I don't to remove anything else do I? Will I need to let go the tie rod ends again? Thanks?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 AT 9:00 AM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
If you don't undo the tie rods, then no you don't have to do anything with the tie rods.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 AT 12:01 PM
Tiny
JJP1062
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Thanks for the advice. My plans are to drop the rack enough to get it out of the spline inside the car so I can center the steering wheel. Other than that I have no issues with the repair except for the steering wheel being of 1/4 turn. I can still drive it but its bothersome. I let you know how I do. Thanks!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 AT 12:21 PM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
You are welcome.
Let me know how it goes.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 AT 12:32 PM
Tiny
JJP1062
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I will. Before I begin would the steering rack being off centered cause this? And am I able to center it by turning the steering wheel to this or does it need to be done out of the car?

Thanks!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 AT 7:32 PM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
It is likely due to the spline of the rack got connected when the steering wheel was not centered. It can happen very easily. Most of the time shops will use a steering wheel stopper before performing this type of replacement.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
JJP1062
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Okay thanks! I will be trying it today. I noticed car wanders to the right when I let go of the steering wheel also but it's not overly bad that I am not unable to control it. Going to center the steering wheel and see if I can eyeball alignment until I can get it to a shop for a proper alignment. Thanks!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 13th, 2022 AT 4:16 AM
Tiny
JJP1062
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I'm not sure that I mentioned that I installed a used rack with tie rods attached from salvage yard. Before I installed the rack, the steering wheel was a fraction to the right not by much. After I installed the rack, the steering wheel is off 1/4 turn to the left. I included a pic of the right front tire with the steering wheel straight and it seems to point out as you can see a bit of the back tire. The left side seems to be pointed in. This tire seems pointed out to me with the steering wheel straight which is what is confusing me.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 13th, 2022 AT 10:14 AM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Since the replacement components already have the tie rod ends, it will need to be adjusted. Likely you will have to get this aligned as the components are not matched with your car. You will likely have to get it aligned even if you are able to adjust the rack while the steering wheel is straight.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 13th, 2022 AT 10:32 AM
Tiny
JJP1062
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Yup, it's all out of whack. If I straighten the steering wheel and then align. It will throw the steering wheel off again. I did have the seat belt going through the steering wheel into the seat belt holder so it won't turn and to be honest I can't tell you if the steering wheel turned or not. The tire does look like its outwards when the wheel is straight. I'm going leave it for today while I think of how to approach this problem tomorrow. I will keep you informed on the progress. Thanks for your help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 13th, 2022 AT 10:55 AM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
You are welcome. Hope you are able to get this fixed.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 13th, 2022 AT 5:45 PM
Tiny
JJP1062
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I'm going to try. First I'm going to try to bring right front tire in and if tire out by adjusting tie rods. I noticed one tie rod has way more threads showing than the other when they should be even threads on both sides, so we see what tomorrow brings I guess.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 13th, 2022 AT 5:57 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links