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Topic: I stripped the bolt connecting rack and pinion to steering column (Read 1785 times) previous topic - next topic

I stripped the bolt connecting rack and pinion to steering column

I any suggestions on how to remove this bolt now that it's stripped?  The bolt connect rack to steering column. Any suggestions would be great the bolt was 15/32 weird the 12mm was alittle loose.  I sprayed penitrating
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]88 Thunderbird Sport 302 H-pipe,flowmaster 50 series delta flow e303 cam GT40 upper and lower intake, GT40P heads, trick flow springs and rocker arms.

I stripped the bolt connecting rack and pinion to steering column

Reply #1 –
If you drop the whole rack you can pull the whole shaft out. Lot of work though. Probably have to pull the oil pan.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

I stripped the bolt connecting rack and pinion to steering column

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Haystack;460448
If you drop the whole rack you can pull the whole shaft out. Lot of work though. Probably have to pull the oil pan.

Dont necessarily have to drop the oil pan. Ive gotten away with jacking up the engine a bit (stretching the motor mounts) to get the steering rack out.
1986 Ford Thunderchicken, 5.0 AOD w/ Shift kit,  354,XXX miles. 1-Family owned. Original engine+trans.
8.8 Disc Rear w/ 3.73 Posi. CHE Control Arms. '04 Cobra brakes all around. 2000 Cobra R wheels. Tubular front LCA's. MM Steering Shaft. Unlocked Speedo, Lowering springs, Eibach sway bars front and rear. Ram air intake.
 

I stripped the bolt connecting rack and pinion to steering column

Reply #3 –
The rack can be unbolted and removed quite easily. You would have to disconnect the lines and tie rods as well to pull it right off the car but there's no need to jack the engine or remove the oil pan.

Use these instructions as a guide and you can see that you can unbolt the rack from the crossmember, remove the bolts and then pull the bushing/bolt sleeves and the rack will drop straight down

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/assets/install/pdf/steering/MMST-7.pdf

I stripped the bolt connecting rack and pinion to steering column

Reply #4 –
But to pull the lower shaft out in one piece might really suck. There is a pinch bolt top and bottom of the shaft, one where it slides in by the colum and another at the actual splined part.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

I stripped the bolt connecting rack and pinion to steering column

Reply #5 –
So if it is the stock steering shaft between the rack and the steering column just unbolt it at the rag joint which should help some.

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp