Completed: Steering rack replacement - 2WD version

I really need to get off my ass and re-clock my SPCs to +2. But yeah, there's a reason those numbers are in the suspension section of the megathread. Everyone that's used them has been super happy. @assassin10000 knows his shit.

 

I guess I just need to keep reading the mega thread. So every time I think I absorbed it all I get another head scratching moment wondering why something wasn't there and then it turns out it was.

 

It's a living document, always changing. At least once a month I have someone text me, PM me, email me, or tag me in a thread to say, "Yo! You need to add this!" and I do. That's one of many reasons that thread is a community effort, not just a "shifty brain/observation dump".

But Assassin's alignment numbers have been in there since the thread was started.

 

now that I'm getting more familiar with the truck, some of it will make more sense. And since it changes, I'll try to reread it every month or two

For instance, I've never done any work with the drive train other than differential and the engine So now i'm beginning to understand the suspension, transmission, driveshaft and related joints, steering and alignment parts and issues and how they all work together

that's why I went ahead and replaced the steering rack. I could've limped along with minimal power steering leaks and used additives to extend the life of the seals. However, I'm trying to get it back to driving as close to new as possible. And getting a brand new steering rack turned out to be a good move because there was definitely some playing in the steering wheel. Having new gears resolved that. I'm not sure a rebuilt one would've done anything but replace the seals.

now that I've replaced the rack inner and outer tie rods and the entire driveshaft and all related joints, I believe the only thing that hasn't been refreshed is the upper ball joint, control arm bushings, and the leaf springs

With all the money I've spent in the last few months. I've totally blown my budget. So I'll probably do the springs next year and if I can wait, I'll also do the upper ball joint at that time

 

ill be revamping my entire PowerSteering system sometime this year as well. Everything sweats fluid.

 

Thankfully, it seems like the UBJ have so little strain on them they'll probably go hundreds of thous of miles before seeing any noteworthy wear.

 

+1

Unless your UBJ boots are torn or leaky. You should be able to let those fuckers run for awhile longer.