LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Rack and Pinion

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Old Dec 25, 2008 | 10:03 PM
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Question Rack and Pinion

How hard is it to change the rack and pinion on my 93?
Anything major i need to remove or what? i need some tips on how to replace it..thanks,,

Last edited by $O$OE; Dec 26, 2008 at 03:17 AM.
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 03:09 AM
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I haven't done it yet, but I have heard that one of the bolts is difficult to remove and to make sure that you put it back in the other direction to make it easier to remove next time. I can't tell you which one it is, but I'm sure you'll figure it out when you do it. Try a search and see what you turn up.
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 05:51 AM
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Did you already purchase the rack? The only reason why I am asking is that there are a lot of guys that convert to a manual rack, who MAY have their power rack laying around. I will be going to a manual rack sometime this spring and I would simply ship my power rack to you if you'd pay shipping.

Might want to put a post in the classified section if you haven't gotten the rack yet.
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 08:32 AM
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Originally Posted by joelster
Did you already purchase the rack? The only reason why I am asking is that there are a lot of guys that convert to a manual rack, who MAY have their power rack laying around. I will be going to a manual rack sometime this spring and I would simply ship my power rack to you if you'd pay shipping.

Might want to put a post in the classified section if you haven't gotten the rack yet.
Im one of those guys

Ive got a stock rack complete out of my '96 if you're looking for one. Im not sure if its backward compatible or not.
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by joelster
Did you already purchase the rack? The only reason why I am asking is that there are a lot of guys that convert to a manual rack, who MAY have their power rack laying around. I will be going to a manual rack sometime this spring and I would simply ship my power rack to you if you'd pay shipping.

Might want to put a post in the classified section if you haven't gotten the rack yet.
and why do others convert to a power rack???
I still have not purchased one i was gonna purchase a used one of another car....
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 02:57 PM
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Noone converts to a power rack. Our cars come with power steering. When you take your cars weight down to lower levels for drag racing purposes, every little lb starts to count. A lot of guys will swap out their heavier factory power rack for a VERY light pinto rack (manual). You can shed a good 20lbs off of the nose by switching to a manual rack. A lot of guys have done it, and probably have their stock power-rack laying around.

ie: see post #4
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 03:01 PM
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if im gonna switch i might as well go manual rack correct?
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 04:33 PM
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Originally Posted by $O$OE
if im gonna switch i might as well go manual rack correct?
Only if you plan on deleting your power steering. Manual racks are usually only for race applications.
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 04:46 PM
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I would NOT want manual steering on a car that is running some big tires on front. Manual steering is best left for the guys running skinnies up front.
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 05:17 PM
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i dont plan to DD the car when im done with it, so i guess i will end up getting one sometime....and yes 15x4.5 skinnies up front backed up with some 275/60/15's
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 09:20 PM
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I'll be changing the rack out of my car tomorrow, so I'll be sure to post back here if anything is overly difficult. I don't think it will be that hard though.
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 10:29 PM
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i converted to a manual rack and still run the stock tires up front with 245's. im going to get some skinnies up front when i can afford them. the one thing that is bad is when i try to make a full turn my wheels rub against the tie rod ends. the wheels are loosing
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 10:30 PM
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i converted to a manual rack and still run the stock wheels up front with 245's. im going to get some skinnies up front when i can afford them. the one thing that is bad is when i try to make a full turn my wheels rub against the tie rod ends. the wheels are loosing. i dd my car
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 08:21 PM
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Got mine out today, only about 2 hours into it since I needed a few tools.

-You might as well get new tie rod ends since if you use a pickle fork, you'll destroy the rubber boots.
-Have an assortment of metric wrenches (18mm especially) available as you'll be using them on many of the parts.
-Get an 18mm line wrench for the power steering lines. The nuts are VERY soft and you will round them off.
-I had no problem accessing the 2 bolts attaching the rack to the k-member, but I do have small hands.
-Lock the steering wheel so the shaft does not move. You don't want to turn the wheel more than a full turn or you'll break an ABS sensor.
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 02:52 AM
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I changed mine out when I swapped to the LS1 Rack, but I had the K-Member already on the ground so it was pretty easy to do.
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 03:53 AM
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Originally Posted by joelster
A lot of guys will swap out their heavier factory power rack for a VERY light pinto rack (manual). You can shed a good 20lbs off of the nose by switching to a manual rack. A lot of guys have done it, and probably have their stock power-rack laying around.

ie: see post #4
WOW didn't know you could save that much weight from power to a manual rack.Ours is just looped
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 10:58 AM
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Are there any lighter options for those of us wanting to keep power steering? Like you said every lb counts.
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 08:17 AM
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Search function:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...ring-rack.html
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