How to Install a Rack & Pinion on a Camaro Z28
The rack and pinion gear of a Camaro Z28 is a fairly simple device. As you turn the steering wheel, the rack and pinion unit converts the rotating motion of the steering action, to a linear type motion. This in turn pushes and pulls on the ties rods. The tie rods are connected to the steering knuckles at the wheels. These actions cause the wheels to turn. Using the correct tools, the novice mechanic can accomplish this task in less than two hours at home.
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Things You'll Need
- Floor jack
- 2 jack stands
- Lug nut wrench
- Fluid drain pan
- Pliers
- Wrench set
- Ratchet and socket set
- New cotter pins
- Assistant
- Power steering fluid
Instructions
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1
Park your car in a well-lighted work area and turn of the engine. Set the parking brake. Raise the front end of the vehicle with a floor jack. Put jack stands underneath the Camaro and lower it down onto them safely. Remove the floor jack.
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2
Remove the lug nuts from both front wheels with a lug nut wrench and remove the wheels.
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3
Locate the steering gear unit at the front and center of the vehicle. You will see two fluid lines attached to the unit. These are the inlet and outlet lines for the power steering. Position a drain pan underneath this area. Using a wrench, loosen the fluid line retainers and remove the lines. Let the fluid drain into the pan.
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4
Follow the tie rods from the steering gear out to the tie rod ends. Remove the cotter pins from the tie rod ends with pliers. Then remove the nuts with a wrench and disconnect the tie rods from the steering knuckles.
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5
Disconnect the steering gear from the coupling shaft by removing the bolts with a ratchet and socket. At this point you can loosen and remove the mounting bolts and nuts of the steering gear with a ratchet and socket. Use a wrench on the nuts. Once the bolts are removed, pull the steering gear out the side of the car.
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6
Slide the new steering gear into place. Thread the mounting bolts and nuts together and hand-tighten them. Hold a wrench to the nuts and tighten the bolts with a torque wrench. The torque setting is 63 foot-pounds.
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7
Reattach the coupling shaft to the steering gear and tighten the bolts with a wrench. Reattach the steering knuckles and tie rod ends. Reinstall the castellated nuts and tighten them with a wrench. Install new cotter pins on each of the nuts with a pair of pliers.
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8
Reconnect the power steering hoses to the steering unit. Tighten the nuts with a wrench. Reinstall the wheels and tighten the lug nuts with a lug nut wrench.
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9
Go to the topside of the car and pour power steering fluid into the power steering fluid reservoir. Allow the Z28 to sit for a few minutes.
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10
Rotate the steering wheel all the way to the far left. Then add more steering fluid and make sure it is full to the 'full cold' level. Do not put the cap on yet.
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11
Ask an assistant to monitor the fluid level in the reservoir, continuing to keep it at the "full cold" level. While your assistant is doing that, turn the steering wheel to the left and to the right. Continue to do this until the fluid level in the reservoir does not need to be refilled -- 15 to 20 times is a good suggestion. Put the reservoir cap back on.
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12
Raise the Camaro high enough to remove the jack stands. Then lower the car to the ground.
Start the vehicle engine and allow it to idle. Continue to monitor the fluid level. Turn the wheels to straight. Let the Z28 sit for a few minutes. Rotate the steering wheel back and forth to check the operation of the steering gear and pump. Check for any leaks.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not allow power steering fluid to come in contact with paint on your car. It can blemish it.
