How do you change rack and pinion in 2001 Oldsmobile Alero?

Answer 1

I just removed rack & pinion from 2000 Alero. I never have did this before.

Place car on jacks. remove tires, fluid from steering system. loosen tire rod ends. remove bolts that hold rack to car. Remove sway bar bolts at tires because you can remove two large bolts on the rack and pinion by swinging sway bar up or down. There are two small tubes that run along rack and pinion, loosen the one on passenger side bend so tube is on top of rack, remove power steer hoses at Power Steering pump. rack will slide out drivers side of car.

I just did this on my 2001 Alero GLS 3.4L V6 so let me go into a little more detail.

Removal

1. Drain power steering reservoir and remove both lines. I found it easier if you move the cruise control box out of the way.

2. Behind the alternator remove the bracket holding the power steering lines to the engine.

3. Place the car on jack stands behind the front subframe.

4. Remove front tires.

5. Remove tie rod ends and stabilizer bar endlinks.

6. Remove intermediate shaft pinchbolt through driver wheel well.

7. Unbolt power steer line under passenger side. 1 nut on stabilizer bar mount. 1 bolt into body.

8. Place another set of jack stands under the front subframe.

9. Place jack at rear of subframe.

10. Loosen front subframe bolts located at the end of the frame rails right by the ends of the airdam.

11. Remove 3 rear subframe bolts, center rear subframe bolt, and 2 center subframe nuts.

12. Drop rear subframe down about 3 inches. Mine held on its own or you may need to support it with jackstands.

13. Unbolt stabilizer bar and slide out.

14. Unbolt rack and pinion and slide out driver wheel well.

Install

1. Once out remove hoses and replace hoses on new rack.

2. Mount new rack in and feed hoses up into engine compartment.

3. Mount stabilizer bar.

4. Lift subframe back up and tighten all the bolts loosened earlier.

5. Reinstall intermediate shaft and pinchbolt. Recommend blue threadlocker.

6. Mount outer tie rods and stabilizer bar endlinks.

7. Reinstall power steer lines to pump.

8. Reinstall power steer lines bracket on rear of engine and underneath on body. Making sure lines don't rub on the body or touch the exhaust.

9. Mount wheels and turn all the way to the left.

10. Add fluid to cold mark.

11. Rotate steering wheel lock to lock at least 20 times, periodically checking the fluid.

12. If you see air bubbles in reservoir continue another 20 times lock to lock to work air out of the system.

13. Lower vehicle.

14. Start vehicle and turn to left and right verifying proper steering operation.

Couple notes:

It is much easier to get the rack out and change the hoses then try fighting the hoses while mounted.

I would replace the stabilizer bar endlinks and bushings while you are doing the job.

I could not get to the rack bolts with the stabilizer bar mounted. I had to remove the bar to get to the bolts.

I could not get rack out without dropping the subframe. There was not enough room.

It took me about 8 hours in my garage with jackstands and no air tools.