Steering Rack Replacement

I'm going to be replacing my steering rack this weekend, when I was buying the rack the website was saying I should install an inline power steering fluid filter to avoid contamination of the new rack but this isn't mentioned in any of the steering rack replacement guides.

I was planning on just swapping in the new rack and filling the system with new fluid, is there more that I should be doing to make sure my new rack lasts a long time?

Nothing i have ever heard of, just pray the rebuilt one doesn't leak. they can all be hit n miss

Dustin Jackson said:

... when I was buying the rack, the website said I should install an inline power steering fluid filter to avoid contamination of the new rack,
but this isn't mentioned in any of the steering rack replacement guides.

I was planning on just swapping in the new rack and filling the system with new fluid.
Is there more that I should be doing to make sure my new rack lasts a long time?

Click to expand...

What harm could there possibly be in adding a filter?
It certainly would not kill the rack any sooner.

Dustin Jackson said:

I'm going to be replacing my steering rack this weekend, when I was buying the rack the website was saying I should install an inline power steering fluid filter to avoid contamination of the new rack but this isn't mentioned in any of the steering rack replacement guides.

I was planning on just swapping in the new rack and filling the system with new fluid, is there more that I should be doing to make sure my new rack lasts a long time?

Click to expand...

If the reason for replacement is just a leak, then I wouldn't worry about it.
IF the reason was a trashed rack or ps pump... then yeah, you've got trash in the system.

I just saw a filter hanging on the wall of a advanced auto parts a few days ago.


are pumps still pretty cheap? maybe just replace the pump as well and call it a day?

You can do a full fluid replacement after replacing it. Simply disconnect the return line and hook up a piece of clear vinyl tubing into bucket. Keep turning the steering wheel lock-to-lock (tires on the air) until the fluid runs clear. Just keep an eye on the pump reservoir, may need a helper for this.

I did that when I replaced the rack on my 99 Silverado about 18 months ago. Now that I think about it though, it may be a good idea to do that procedure before (and after too?) replacing the rack, just to prevent the old fluid circulation through the new rack? PS fluid is cheap. A rack, labor and alignment are not.

That’s what im thinking, I’ll pump a bottle of fresh fluid through the old rack before I remove it.

Thanks guys