Steering Rack / Gear Replacement?

Tiny
M3BLACKSHADOW
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK EV
  • 75,000 MILES
Hi! I’m working on replacing the rack and pinion /steering gear on my vehicle listed above EV. I have loosened the front subframe bolts and removed the rear subframe bolts. I have also removed the bolts for the motor mounts. I have removed the bolts for the steering rack and it is loose. However, there is not enough room to pull out the rack (only 1-2”). The front Subframe bolts are still loose so the subframe is hanging on something else. I cannot figure it out. Any help or service manual shots of this repair would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Friday, May 24th, 2024 AT 12:38 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Hi,

Do you have the conduit and power supply module removed? It sounds like you have everything loose, I'm not sure what may be the problem other than what I mentioned.

I attached the directions for replacing the rack and pinion below from my manual. Take a look through it and let me know if you see anything you may have missed.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Friday, May 24th, 2024 AT 7:25 PM
Tiny
M3BLACKSHADOW
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you! Wow there are a lot of scary disclaimers in there. Hope I didn’t mess anything up. It’s interesting because the EPS is behind the steering wheel and you don’t really touch it to disconnect the knuckle that releases the steering gear. Can you send me the expanded walkthrough of 11, 15, and 17?
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Friday, May 24th, 2024 AT 7:54 PM
Tiny
M3BLACKSHADOW
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Actually, if you could show 16 too that would be great. Thank you!
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Saturday, May 25th, 2024 AT 4:19 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Hi,

Not a problem. Note: There are a lot of warnings because of the power being produced by the battery. You have to be careful because there is enough voltage to end a life, so please be careful.

As far as the procedure for number 16, I attached them below. The last thing on the list is to enable the high voltage system. I hope is has already been disabled. If not, please do it.

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Saturday, May 25th, 2024 AT 7:02 PM
Tiny
M3BLACKSHADOW
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I did it! Thanks so much Joe! So helpful. I wound up not needing to disconnect anything electrical. It was just really difficult to get the splined shaft out of the car but with some prying I was able to get it over the retaining bracket towards the sway bar and it slid out.
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Sunday, May 26th, 2024 AT 3:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Hi,

Excellent! I'm glad you got it taken care of. There isn't much room to work on them anymore. LOL

Regardless, please be safe when working around the high voltage electrical circuits. They can be deadly. Also, please feel free to come back anytime in the future.

Take care and Happy Memorial Day!

Joe
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Sunday, May 26th, 2024 AT 7:56 PM

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