Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Changing Rack and Pinion

Spent 5 hours last night replacing my rack. I was wondering what the metal shield was for covering the top of the rack. Is it a heat shield? Can I do without it?
Also I am looking for a good used IMRC.
I contacted Iammastermind@hotmail.com in the classifieds, but no responses.

You really want to keep the heat shield. It will keep the rack and the power steering fluid from baking. Without the shield, expect to be back in to replace the rack sooner than you want to.

You did the rack change with the drivetrain in place? Curious what kind of job that is....

I will put the shield back on. Most of the job was getting the 6 bolts out of the shield. I can imaging getting them back in.
I changed the rack without dropping the subframe, and with everything in place. Quite a job. I dropped the rear of the subframe only about 2". Pulled the coil off the rear cam cover to snake an extention down to the bolts. Everything else,(tie rod ends, steering coupler, P/S lines),was pretty simple. I stripped one subframe mounting bolt, and had to torch a hole in the body to cut the nut off.

I am in the process of chaging my 98 SVT rack. Both boots are leaking badly. From the Mitchells CD Taasman has I've learned a few things on this:

* the subframe does not have to be lowered
* pull the rack through the pass side wheel well
* access the steering pinch bolt through the inside of the car - there is an access panel to get to it.

Let me know if anyone has had other experiences. Im not sure if the exhaust needs to be touched (Im hoping no). The 6 bolts holding the heat shield on top are definately a PITA to get to.

The other item of note is the plastic (or whatever they're made of) O rings which are used where the lines connect to the rack. I also understand that if you get air in the system it can be a real PITA to purge.

Your comments here__________.

I see no way to get it out of the firewall without lowering the frame a little. The rack on mine bolts to the top of the sub frame and protrudes just a little into the firewall. Even removing the coupling it still needs to go down a small amount to be removed. And remove through the passengers side? There is almost no room between the alt and the firewall. Maybe a 4 cyl model.

The plastic oval access panel can be slid up the steering column to get out of the way I believe. As for the new teflon O rings for the pressure and return lines, they come with the rack along with install instructions. Purging air out of the system is just a matter of starting engine and steering back and forth to work out the bubbles.

Can i get those teflon O rings anywhere else besides the Ford dealership? My local shop is not to eager to help me when i ask for 95 or 96 contour parts.

I would just get them from the dealer, since you know they are correct, and they are cheap anyway.