1G Power Steering Rack

[Pro3racer]

How involved is replacing the PS rack on a 1g n/t? Mine just took a dive, and all simple "bandaids" have failed. Is it only a matter of dropping down the exhaust and just unbolting everything that has to do with the rack?

 

[DarthBulk]

I replaced the power steering rack on my 1G Turbo, and it was quite a bit of work, but not all that difficult. If I recall correctly, here is what I had to do, not necessarily in this order:

1. Remove the exhaust from under the steering rack
2. Remove wheels
3. Disconnect the tie rod ends holding the steering rack ends to the hub.
4. Remove the sway bar.
5. Remove the two cross pieces underneath the front sub-frame.
6. Disconnect the power steering lines from the rack, somewhere under the brake master cylinder. This is pretty tough to get at.
7. Disconnect the steering linkage to the power steering rack, there is a cross bolt in there clamping it to the gear on the rack. This is tough to get at too.
8. Remove the crossmember underneath the engine
9. Remove the two clamps from inside the subframe, that hold the rack to the subframe. There are rubber mounts in there, that you probably want to replace. You can get them pretty cheap from Mitsubishi.
10. Remove the steering rack.

Installation is the reverse. Be careful not to get dirt in the new rack, before you get all the hoses connected. You have to be careful to get the steering rack centered as much as possible, before reconnecting it to the steering wheel linkage, to make it easier to get your steering wheel centered during alignment. While you are in there, this might be a good time to put some new subframe mounts in the car too, unless yours are in good shape. I think this is a pretty big job.

 

[Pro3racer]

Well, you see, i just need the car to function well. This is not my daily driver, nor my race car, this is my first car, that has found a new home in the backyard. I drive my new AWD, but found this problem the other week when moving the car around. So I'm trying to do this as cheaply and quickly as possible.

 

[DarthBulk]

Here is where I bought my steering rack from:
http://www.thesteeringstore.com/
It was the best price I could find, and they delivered fast. As long as you can get your tie rod ends off without breaking them, and the hoses and steering linkage disconnected without breaking anything, that will be your only major expense in this. The rest is just a lot of time taking everything apart, and putting it back together

 

[TuskeeTuner]

I replaced the power steering rack on my 1G Turbo, and it was quite a bit of work, but not all that difficult. If I recall correctly, here is what I had to do, not necessarily in this order:

1. Remove the exhaust from under the steering rack
2. Remove wheels
3. Disconnect the tie rod ends holding the steering rack ends to the hub.
4. Remove the sway bar.
5. Remove the two cross pieces underneath the front sub-frame.
6. Disconnect the power steering lines from the rack, somewhere under the brake master cylinder. This is pretty tough to get at.
7. Disconnect the steering linkage to the power steering rack, there is a cross bolt in there clamping it to the gear on the rack. This is tough to get at too.
8. Remove the crossmember underneath the engine
9. Remove the two clamps from inside the subframe, that hold the rack to the subframe. There are rubber mounts in there, that you probably want to replace. You can get them pretty cheap from Mitsubishi.
10. Remove the steering rack.

Installation is the reverse. Be careful not to get dirt in the new rack, before you get all the hoses connected. You have to be careful to get the steering rack centered as much as possible, before reconnecting it to the steering wheel linkage, to make it easier to get your steering wheel centered during alignment. While you are in there, this might be a good time to put some new subframe mounts in the car too, unless yours are in good shape. I think this is a pretty big job.

Rise from the dead...

I think I need to replace my rack and relocate the power steering cooler when I go to install my new ETS front mount. Would you rate the difficulty level equal or similar to removing the engine and clutch pedal assembly? Do you have to drop the steering column? Would you recommend doing this on a chassis lift as opposed to jack stands and laying on a creeper all day?

Thanks for the post.

 

[DarthBulk]

Rise from the dead...

I think I need to replace my rack and relocate the power steering cooler when I go to install my new ETS front mount. Would you rate the difficulty level equal or similar to removing the engine and clutch pedal assembly? Do you have to drop the steering column? Would you recommend doing this on a chassis lift as opposed to jack stands and laying on a creeper all day?

Thanks for the post.

It has been a long time since I did this project If I remember correctly, it was difficult to do because of the hard-to-reach connections for the power steering lines, but everything else was just typical "stupid bolt is hard to get out" type of difficulty. A lift would definitely help, but not necessary. I did it in my garage on the floor. I did not have to drop the steering column, just disconnect the steering link to the rack.

 

[pauleyman]

I've done both 1 and 2g steering racks. Tedious. If you ever wanted to do subframe bushings and clean up stuff it is THE opportune time to do it.