July 7th, 2017
Steering Rack Guide & Rear Axle Seals
Parts List:
- Rack Guide (45504-35031)
- Rack Guide Spring (90501-26074)
- Rack Guide Nut (90179-48003)
- Inner Rear Axle Seal (90310-50006)
Tools Used:
- 16mm Bolt
- 2x 16mm Nuts
- 24mm Socket
- Torque Wrench
- Channel Lock Pliers
- Vice-Grips
- 10mm Flare Nut Wrench
- Crescent Wrench
- 12-14mm Sockets
This past weekend I decided to tackle what I thought was the cure to a clicking noise underneath the driver-side of the car. Since it only happened while stopped and turning the wheels, and sometimes when I would first accelerate, I thought it had something to do with the steering rack. Since I had just replaced both sets of tie rods, I ruled those out. Short of replacing the entire rack, I went with the rack guide. Since I didn't want to shell out an extra $30 for a 24mm hex bit socket, I looked up what size bolt has a 24mm head on it. Turns out it was a 16mm! I went by my hardware store to pick up the bolt and 2 nuts for the wrench.
Once I got home, I used the channel locks to remove the large retaining nut. Once off, I put the bolt head into the cap and got it off no problem. I replaced the rack guides and retorqued it to about 18 ft-lbs then backed off a little. I might need to go back in to adjust it, but the clicking went away for the most part. I can still feel it every once in a while, but it is mostly gone.
This weekend I decided to test fate and swap something out that wasn't broken...my rear axle seals. Since it was an expensive fix the last time I had to do them, with the bearings and shop time for the press, I wanted to see if I could get ahead of any failure on the new rig. Getting everything off of the car was super easy now that there is no rust to deal with...I just love it! I took off the drums to check the status of the brakes, and besides being dirty, they looked pretty good. Next up was removing the brake line and the 4 nuts holding the backing plate to the axle. Once the shaft was removed I was able to get a good look at the perfectly fine seal...oh well...I decided to continue and remove it since I was already that far into the axle. It came time to press the new one on and I was having the hardest time getting it started. I ended up getting one side in, and using a socket on one side of the seal driver to get it straightened out.
I got everything else back on without issue, but since the seal looked fine, I decided to not mess with the passenger side. Now I'm guessing that it's going to leak soon just to spite me. While I was under the car, I noticed some oil seepage from the 3rd member and axle housing. I really didn't want to drain the oil and drop the drive shaft, so I decided to check the torque on the bolts. I found maybe 5 that were under-torqued by quite a bit, and it was right where the seepage was so I'm hoping that will solve the issue for the time being.
All in all, I bought 2 inner seals, 2 outer seals, a drive shaft seal, and the 3rd member gasket, and I only installed 1 inner seal. At least I have extras for when it all blows up later!
Rack guide parts
https://flic.kr/p/WGSBM4
The 16mm socket in the cap
https://flic.kr/p/W7zJpf
Side by side
https://flic.kr/p/WGSBFn
New seal
https://flic.kr/p/Vz5PRp