kissmyss Posted June 10, 2015 Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 [TABLE=width: 100%] [TR] [TD=class: row1, bgcolor: #485165]My rack is starting to leak, nothing major just wet in certain places. No drips or apparent loss of fluid either. I'm thinking about replacing it, but not sure if I should go after market with a lifetime warranty or get it from the dealer.[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [/TABLE] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schurkey Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Who makes or rebuilds the racks the dealer sells? First Guess: GM isn't selling GM-manufactured racks. GM isn't selling GM-remanufactured parts. GM is selling new or reman racks supplied by the SAME companies that sell in the aftermarket. The only GM thing about the dealer-sourced parts is the cardboard box they ship in. For the privilege of buying from a GM Dealership, you get raped on price and have to accept a shorter warranty. If I'm wrong--If GM still sells new racks, made by GM in the USA or Canada...things might be different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissmyss Posted June 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 I getting an A/C Delco rack and it comes with a lifetime warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissmyss Posted June 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 If I didn't have an SS, I may have got it from napa. I have an FE4 suspension and word is they usually sell you the wrong part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l67ss Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Just check the ratio...if its 13.2:1 its the right rack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissmyss Posted June 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Just check the ratio...if its 13.2:1 its the right rack Thanks, will keep that in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissmyss Posted June 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 It's here, picking up the sway bar tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to do the install this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissmyss Posted June 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 The deed is done, steering feels tighter and a noise that plagued me for years is gone. Here's the procedure I used after reading various posts and watching You tube videos. I did the usual put the car on jack stands.I placed the stands at the front of the sub-frame, most people said don't support the vehicle by the sub-frame since it needs to be lowered. I saw a picture where someone lowered the rear sub-frame with the front supported and decided to give it a try. My sway bar wasn't all that bad, but decided to replace it now rather than later. First I moved the drivers seat forward, put the seat belt through it and then moved the seat back to keep the steering wheel straight. I disconnected the sway and with a little finesse I removed it through the drivers side. Once the bar was removed there seemed to be enough room to remove the rack without dropping the sub-frame. The sub-frame bolts were unobstructed, so why drop the frame. I removed the steering shaft bolt, power steering lines, outer tie-rods, rack bolts and removed the rack through the drivers side. I counted the number of grooves on the inner tie-rods, to be used as a reference when placing the outer tie-rods on the new steering rack. I placed both racks next to each other for comparison and noticed the steering shaft connection wasn't oriented the same. So I turned the the shaft on the new rack to match the old one. This helps keep the steering wheel centered. Once mounted further adjustment may be necessary when attaching the steering shaft. The only problem I had during the removal was the power steering lines. They had to be removed from the top through the engine compartment. The wrench I had only allowed limited movement, stubby's would have been better. I plan on purchasing some in the future. AC Delco rack; Dorman Sway bay; Seat belt around steering wheel; Leaking rack; Sway bar removed; Sway bar and rack removed.Notice sub-frame is still attached; New and old rack. The plastic piece the boot connects to was no longer attached to the rack before I removed it. This appear to be the original rack as indicated by the sticker.; Shaft orientation before; After; Various pictures; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 Just check the ratio...if its 13.2:1 its the right rackHow does one go about checking the ratio? Do you disassemble it and count the teeth on the rack as compared to the teeth on the pinion gear? How does this compare to turns lock to lock?I get the whole faster/ quicker ratio thing, but how is it measured? Or is it just stamped on the rack somewhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l67ss Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 How does one go about checking the ratio? Do you disassemble it and count the teeth on the rack as compared to the teeth on the pinion gear? How does this compare to turns lock to lock?I get the whole faster/ quicker ratio thing, but how is it measured? Or is it just stamped on the rack somewhere? You look up specs for the part number. And turns lock to lock really has nothing to do with the ratio....its just platform and tire size specific. Your car has a 13.2:1 ratio stock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissmyss Posted June 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure. The rack installed from the drivers side. The Dorman sway bar installs from the passengers side, remove the passenger side rotor for more clearance something I didn't do. I installed and torqued everything down before I connected the steering shaft. Besides leaking, this is what I was experiencing; Another video; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 Nice write up kissmyss and thanks for the info l67ss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissmyss Posted June 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 Nice write up kissmyss and thanks for the info l67ss. Thanks and your welcome. Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissmyss Posted June 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2015 Everything's fine so far and I'm happy with the new car feel. Here are some additional pics; Distance between tie rod and sway bar Distance between down-pipe and sway bar. only the tip of my pinky finger fits between the two, don't know if I'll have enough clearance if I switch to a 3 inch down pipe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95GS Posted October 19, 2018 Report Share Posted October 19, 2018 Good write-up & photos. This helps me, thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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