Steering rack replacement, one awful bolt

[boondocksDrew]

I'm replacing my steering rack after it was damaged in a wreck. I got the old rack out, but getting the new rack in is being trickier. The bolt that holds the rack in place on the driver's side is directly under the AC compressor. Somehow I managed to wrangle that bolt OUT without moving the compressor by pulling the rack sort of forward or something. But now the challenge is getting the bolt back IN.

Does anyone have any tips here? It seems like if it came out with the compressor in place, it should be able to go back in, too. I will spend a good while fighting this thing to avoid touching anything AC related.

 

[keakar]

I'm replacing my steering rack after it was damaged in a wreck. I got the old rack out, but getting the new rack in is being trickier. The bolt that holds the rack in place on the driver's side is directly under the AC compressor. Somehow I managed to wrangle that bolt OUT without moving the compressor by pulling the rack sort of forward or something. But now the challenge is getting the bolt back IN.

Does anyone have any tips here? It seems like if it came out with the compressor in place, it should be able to go back in, too. I will spend a good while fighting this thing to avoid touching anything AC related.

are you putting that bolt in first, then putting the rack in place?

you should also just start the threads on all the bolts but dont even snug them until they are all started. the biggest issue with replacement parts is people dont leave all the bolts loose until they are all started, also best to snug them a little at a time evenly as things need the readjust to the correct position since old parts had worn bushings so things arent going to simply fit the same.

by thew way, just curious, what does a rack cost for our 4runners?

.

 

[boondocksDrew]

Well, I'm trying to put that bolt in first. Even with nothing else attached the AC compressor is quite in the way. The strategy I was trying was to drop the bolt into the rack, then wrangle the rack around.

I paid 247 for a "new" rack that I assume is remanufactured. Quality looks good, though, and it came with new outer tie rod ends. Looking at the rack, there really wasn't a ding or scratch on it. Possibly actually new from China or something?

 

[keakar]

well i guess you know what you have to do then, loosen up the a/c compressor bolts to give you more room to get it in

 

[boondocksDrew]

It actually did go back in without moving the AC compressor. So if anyone is wondering, it can be done.