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

It’s best to pressurize the rack before everything is 100% reassembled. That scenario of new racks leaking is real if you get a rack that’s been sitting out for a few years in a hot dry warehouse.

It occurred on my VW. The Indi forewarned me of it since I brought my own rack in. It was splat! at start up. Pretty sure he did me a solid though.

It sounded like he got a replacement from his local supplier who exchanged the rack and paid his labor because so may had rotted out.

Got the new rack installed, filled it up and turned the wheels back and fourth a few times and refilled it until it stopped going down. Then I started it and turned the wheels and the power steering was groaning and the reservoir was empty so I filled it again and now everything seems good but there’s a lot of foam from the initial start. Will that go away or do I need to drain and feed I’ll the system again?

Lift up the front and cycle it back and forth by hand, lock to lock a number of times without the engine running. Once or twice won't cut it, do many cycles. Slow and steady back and forth.

The foam will go away after it sits for awhile.....just like a beer