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Everything About Steering Rack Assembly

The steering rack assembly, commonly known as the rack and pinion assembly, is the part of a vehicle that moves the wheels when the steering wheel is turned. This rack and pinion are replaced with a steering box in bigger vehicles. Read along to understand the importance of Steering Rack Assembly and understand its functioning.

What Is A Car Steering Rack Assembly?

The steering rack comprises a rack that is surrounded by a steering pinion. It is fixed to the steering wheel with a set of shafts and U-joints. When you turn the steering wheel, the pinion will move and push the steering rack to the left or right. The end of the steering rack is fixed to the front wheels so that the steering rack inputs and will turn to the right or left as needed.

A power steering rack will use an engine-driven pump so that it can provide high-pressure hydraulic fluid to the steering rack as you turn the wheel. This will make it easier for the steering rack to turn. It also means that the hoses, seals, and O-rings also contain an enormous amount of hydraulic fluid.

How Does My Car Steering Rack Assembly Work?

Have a look at the working of car steering rack assembly:

The steering wheel is fixed to the front wheels of the car with the help of a steering rack assembly. The wheels turn right and left with its help. The pinion gear will rotate as you turn the steering wheel, causing the steering rack to move.

The right and left movement of the car is done with the help of power steering pumps, else it will be tough to move the wheels as old vehicles are made without power steering. Modern vehicles today use electrical power steering instead of hydraulic steering systems because it is more reliable, fast, and has fewer moving parts.

How To Choose The Right Steering Rack Assmbly?

What Are The Common Car Steering Rack Assembly Problems?

As with any component, the rack and pinion steering system will start developing problems. As this component is very essential for controlling and steering the vehicle effectively, the issue has to be diagnosed and repaired as quickly as possible. As time goes by, a few of the rack and pinion systems will wear out. In addition to this, the gears may also wear out as they are engaged in driving and steering very frequently. Also, the metals on the gear will wear out if they are loosely fitted. Another frequent problem is the wearing out of bushings and bearings, which might lead to excessive slipping in the steering wheel as you drive. Power steering fluid can also drain out slowly if there is a leak within the system.

Which Tools Do I Need To Repair My Car Steering Rack Assembly?

It is said that a workman is only as good as his tools, and it is true when it comes to car bodywork. It is vital to have the right tools to repair your Steering Rack Assembly or else a straightforward job would turn into constant headaches. So that’s why we have listed out some invaluable tools below which you will need while repairing your Steering Rack Assembly.

  • Jack

  • Jack stands

  • Wrenches

  • Ratchet 

  • Socket set with extensions

  • Screwdrivers

  • Pliers 

  • Hammer

  • Wire brush

  • Tie rod separator or ball joint fork

  • Engine support fixture (If required)

  • Power steering filter

  • Power steering fluid

  • Automatic transmission fluid

  • New power steering rack

  • Latex gloves (Optional)

Which Top Brands Steering Rack Assembly Parts Should I Choose?

Most people have a nature to avoid risk and seek safety. That is the reason they would go with a familiar auto parts brand rather than a new one. It would prove to be safe, and they know what to expect. Have a look at our top brands for Steering Rack Assembly, which would offer safety and decrease the risk of disappointment.


  • Cardone Industries Steering Rack Assembly

  • Ascension Power Steering Steering Rack Assembly

  • Mevotech Original Grade Steering Rack Assembly

  • Moog Steering Rack Assembly

  • Beck/Armley Steering Rack Assembly

  • Mevotech Steering Rack Assembly

To know more about top brand Car Steering Rack Assembly, visit our “What Are The Top Brands For Steering Rack Assembly That I Should Choose?” section.

Which Parts Are Related To My Car Steering Rack Assembly?

The brighter you are, the more you have to learn! That’s why we are here to provide you with more knowledge about the related parts of the car Steering Rack Assembly. They are mentioned below:

What Is The Repairing Cost Of My Car Steering Rack Assembly?

We bet that you’re thinking as to how much does a Steering Rack Assembly replacement cost. Just keep in mind that it is not as easy as putting a fast and hard number on it. This is because the replacement/repair cost would be different for every Steering Rack Assembly and it would also vary depending on how in-depth the repair needs to be. If you are thinking about the exact cost, then you might take the help of an expert mechanic. For steering rack replacement, you will have to pay between $640 to $1,200. The labour cost lies between $280 and $360, whereas the parts price lies between $350 and $830.

What Are The Steps Of Changing My Car Steering Rack Assembly?

Here is a simple guideline as to how to remove the steering rack assembly of your vehicle and change them.

Step 1

A steering wheel lock is used so that the steering wheel keeps rotating when the steering rack assembly is removed. Once you safely remove the front wheels and hoist the vehicle, you must remove the outer tie rod end retaining nuts.

Step 2

To separate the outer tie rods from the steering knuckle, use a tie rod taper breaker so that it doesn’t harm the rubber grease boots. Once you move the protective cover aside, you must then remove the bolt that is used to retain the intermediate shaft to the steering gear stub shaft.

Step 3

With the help of a line wrench, remove the hydraulic lines that are attached from the steering rack to the power steering rack assembly.

Step 4

Once the engine cradle is supported with the help of a tall safety stand, use an air impact wrench with a long extension to remove the engine cradle bolts.

Step 5

The lower engine cradle bolts have to be removed. This will help you to lower the cradle and you can gain access to the steering rack assembly. Rotate the screw jack on the tall safety stands to lower the engine cradle.

Step 6

The attachment bolts of the steering rack have to be removed. Lift the steering rack assembly from the support brackets. 

Step 7

Note the notch on the stub shaft before you reinstall the steering gear assembly. When you place the notch, back into the vehicle, it has to be aligned with the intermediate shaft retaining bolt

Step 8

Assemble the steering rack assembly in the opposite order of the way it was disassembled. Make sure that the rack is placed in the center and that the bolt is properly fixed with the notch in the steering rack stub shaft.

Step 9

Install the retaining bolts, with the help of a tall safety stand to support the engine cradle. To keep the tapered tie rod end from rotating a socket is used, whereas the retaining nut is tightened with a wrench.

Step 10

Once you install the hydraulic lines and retaining bolts, a specific fluid is used to fill the power steering pump reservoir. In order to bleed the trapped air out of the system, the steering wheel has to be rotated lock to lock with the engine off and the wheels off the ground. See if there are any leaks and test drive the vehicle.

If you are still confused about which type of car steering rack assembly you should buy, then you can visit our Ultimate steering rack assembly Buying Guide. You should always look for the warning signs of a bad steering rack assembly and replace them at the earliest you can. With us, you can find steering rack assembly at the most economical costs.

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FAQ
Driving with a poor rack and pinion is dangerous since you can no longer manage your vehicle and keep it in a straight course. There would be so much unstructured time that your automobile would simply drift down the road. This could be extremely risky for both you and other drivers.
Your rack and pinion, unlike certain other parts in your car, is built to last. Mostly, you should be able to get at least 100,000 miles out of it before it needs to be changed.
A steering wheel that is difficult to turn or is extremely tight could indicate a problem with your rack and pinion. Another clue is if your gearbox becomes hot or loses hydraulic pressure due to a lack of steering fluid.
When the steering rack wears out, it leads to clunking or thudding noise while taking a corner, going over a bump, or turning the steering wheel.
The rack and pinion gear set serves two purposes. The rotating motion of the steering wheel is converted into the linear motion required for the vehicle's wheels to turn. Reduction of gears, allowing the steering wheel to turn the wheels more easily.
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John Framigllia
Technical Writer
Our technical writer is known for simplifying automotive parts and services. Intuitive with various vehicles and manufacturers, he knows how to simplify complicated problems.