[Trock03]

Good evening guys. I need to replace the steering rack on my 02 4x4. After I bought the truck I picked up the Chrysler shop manual. That thing has been a life saver.

The manual is great for most things but it can't help you out with practical experience. Is there anything I need to know about changing out the steering rack? Best way to flush the system? Alignment necessary after it's done? Things like that. I'm not a mechanic but I've been turning wrenches since I was a kid although I've never changed one of these out. If anyone has any tip/tricks/general knowledge to pass along I'd appreciate it.

Y'all have a great weekend.

 

[ramfanatic01]

make sure you lock the steering wheel so when you put it back together it will be lined up straight and also mark the nuckle just to make sure other than that its straight forward just did mine a couple of months ago and was not bad if you need anything else just pm me

 

[BWhelan]

Trock03,

I think it would be an awesome opportunity to make a "How-To" walkthrough on it. I honestly think I need to do it on my 07, as I'm getting a whine/minor grinding noise when turning my wheel. Though I blame it on the 35s and Leveling kit putting a strain on it.

 

[Trock03]

BW,

That's a good idea. I'll take some notes and post some pics if they look like they'll help. I'm tied up for the next three weekends so it'll have to wait until after that. I'll start a new thread with all the details of my adventure!

TC

 

[lel1956]

I've had a slow power steering fluid leak for the last few years. I could not pin point the leak so I have just been adding fluid as needed. I just learned Chrysler put out a bulletin on the 2002 Ram power steering leak. The bulletin said to replace the hose clamp so I did. I'll see if that stops the leak. I hope my rack is not going bad.

 

[Archaea]

Hey Trok. I just put in a new steering rack on my 2002 Ram. Mine is 2wd not 4x4 so I don't even know if yours is the same. But... I got mine at Advance Auto but I don't remember the brand of the part. I had to use spacers to move the rack forward from its original position. The 'spacers' were large washers that I bought at the local hardware store.

Even with these, the shoulders of the bolt housings rubbed against the frame where the rack attaches to the steerng knuckle. So I had to file down the shoulders so that it wouldn't rub against the frame.

It was a remanufactured unit (thats all that was available) so I'm sure that it was from a different year (since it didn't fit perfectly) but a few modifications and it works like a champ.

Its an easy job to do. It can take some time though, especially if your new unit doesn't fit just right. Good luck with it.

 

[Trock03]

Arch,

Thanks for the info. Seems like rebuilt racks are the easiest to come by. I've noticed that there can be a big price difference between rebuilt units. Advance auto parts is who I'm planning on going with. They seem to be right in the middle concerning price.