Steering rack fun

[Culito]

Hello all,
Has anyone tried to replace seals on a steering rack?
I got this "rebuilt" rack a few years ago from Detroit Axle, and it's pretty much junk. Both sides leak, the driver's is really bad. And I've only put a few thousand easy miles on it.
I was replacing the loose tie rods (also junk) and saw that you may be able to remove these end caps (with the spanner slots) and maybe replace o-rings or seals. However, there's a spring loaded catch at the top once you loosen them a few turns. I couldn't quite see how to "unlock" it in situ.
Anyone got these apart?

Also I got the wrong tie rods so I'm back where I started.
If anyone can positively ID these, that would be helpful as well. There's no flats or hex.

Thanks!

[V50M66]

Don't bother - seal kits are hard to come by, low quality, very difficult to install properly, and frequently end up leaking again in short order.

Almost every replacement rack these days is complete garbage, spitting out seals in short order and even locking up while driving in a few cases.

There is one exception though - get an AAE 3095N rack off RockAuto. They're actually well made, and I have not seen one case of failure yet. Have one in my '98, still going strong after a year and 12k miles. And they're cheap. Do it once, do it right.

[Culito]

Thanks for the tip, I'll probably go that route.
I found a TRW rack rebuild video and yeah, I doubt I can even find the correct seal kit.

[scot850]

I got seal kits from Corteco several years ago. They looked well made but my only disappointment in the kit is they do not supply the plastic/rubber cap for the top where the steering column attaches.

Some of the aftermarket inner tie rods don't have the flat for a wrench. I bought one of those cheap clamps that look like a muffler clamp from IPDUSA. It works great.

I will take a look and see if I still (likely) have the kits as I never used them, and I pulled a good used Volvo OE rack from a low km car.
I will see if they have a part number on them if you a curious.

I would take the advice of buying the RA unit as it is new as I understand it and not a poorly done reman unit.

You could always buy a set of seals and try to fix your current rack over the next winter as a project!

Neil.

[pfmet]

I would go with V50M66 and Neil’s suggestion on the AAE 3095N. Why? Just because after long anguished searching, reading, and hand wringing I settled on that choice myself for my car this winter. And I need affirmation. The sentiments they expressed seemed to be shared by the Euro car crowd around the interweb. The fact they are new as apposed to rebuilt despite being made in China is significant. Hope the rubber parts hold up. Seems like a couple years was the longest period I noted in reviews but people seemed pleased. I don’t have a thousand miles on mine yet so not really much to talk about. Feels good.

And with no core charge I got my old SMI to rebuild some boring winter. Best of luck with all that. IIRC that rack comes with TRW style inner tie rod ends. Not that it matters really.

[Culito]

I do have a spare rack out of a parts car that I haven't pulled yet. It might have the same issues though, so maybe I'll pull that one and it could be a rebuild candidate if I'm ever motivated enough.

I'll probably end up returning the Detroit Axle rack for a refund because it does have a lifetime warranty. (!)

I'm really surprised no one has come up with the bracketry to adapt a Mustang II rack or something. I'm sure there's a common rack out there that is close enough to adapt.

I ordered some EV330 tie rods - fingers crossed.

[scot850]

The kit I got I have noted is for an SMI rack. I got it directly from Corteco as mentioned.

Brand is Freudenberg NOK - R&P seal kit 8544 - REF. #2146 Date code : 01/11/06 !

Neil.

[Culito]

You guys using Dexron III in these AAE racks? Looks like there's conflicting information out there.
My rack came in today, going in a 98 V70.

[abscate]

I’m using Dex VI in mine

[V50M66]

Valvoline Dex/Merc is what I run and it works excellent. Spec is Dex III for -98