rack and pinion replacement

[siresword]

Hello - I was wondering if anyone here has ever needed to replace the entire rack and pinion in the suspension. I have a 96 accord and it needs a completely new rack and pinion. I want to buy the part online and replace it myself, I have the tools necessary and a haynes repair manual, so I was wondering if it could be done and how hard you guys thought the job was.

If its too hard to do myself, I think I'll buy the part (somewhere online? x_x) and have a shop do the work.

Thanks

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edit
http://www.autopartswarehouse.....html
would that be an acceptable replacement ?


Modified by siresword at 1:47 PM 6/9/2008

[TouringAccord]

I pulled mine out of my old 95 EX to replace the cross member that it's mounted inside of. Not horrible I guess. Hardest part will probably be removing the lines at the rack. Make sure you use flare nut wrenches so you don't mess up the soft metal fittings.

[DCFIVER]

on a lift its about a 3hr job +alignment. If you have to ask how hard it is I guarantee it will be an all day job for you.(Possibly 2) It is not a job for begining techs. labor at most shops will run you around $300 to $400...and yes that link you posted is a suitable replacement

[siresword]

heh i guess that means that doing it with a jack and jackstands is completely out of the question?

the allignment i wouldn't do obviously, but from what i saw it didn't look **too** complicated

thanks for the info on the part, sounds like thats the one i'll get

[DCFIVER]

Originally Posted by siresword

heh i guess that means that doing it with a jack and jackstands is completely out of the question?

the allignment i wouldn't do obviously, but from what i saw it didn't look **too** complicated

thanks for the info on the part, sounds like thats the one i'll get

Not out of the question ,just much more time consuming. Its not complicated just tedious. If you're up to it then go for it ,but i highly suggest having a buddy with more mechanical skills than you have, present to help out.

[siresword]

oh yeah sure, my buddy was going to be the one who's helping me do this, he has all the tools too

if we were to do this, do we need more than a haynes repair manual?

[TouringAccord]

Originally Posted by siresword

heh i guess that means that doing it with a jack and jackstands is completely out of the question?

no, not out of the question. Like stated above, it's just harder.

I did mine with the car on jack stands. Can't tell you how long it took because I was also doing a bunch of other things at the time.

[DCFIVER]

Originally Posted by siresword

oh yeah sure, my buddy was going to be the one who's helping me do this, he has all the tools too

if we were to do this, do we need more than a haynes repair manual?

Well any repair manual will help although its pretty straight forward. What no repair manual will tell you is that you have to center the new rack before you put it in otherwise you'll never get the alignment right.

[bonh]

If you have the time for trial and error possibly or all day I would do it, but if its something you need to drive tommorow I wouldn't risk it, especially if you're asking here.

[siresword]

haha - nono this is definitely not a need now thing, I need to get it replaced so the car can pass inspection .. heh heh ..

thanks for the help guys, i guess that all i have left to do is buy the part

oh um .. one last thing .. not like i'll need any special tools right? i have an impact wrench and a full socket set, and a good jack and jackstands

[gianinline]

no special tools... but if you had knuckles made out of steel... that woud help. I remember doing that stuff a long time ago and there's not a lot of space... which means... hands make contact with things you wouldn't want to..... :/

[fubuallstar]

I had hit a curb going 80 and messed up rear frame(lucky rather than total) unsure about your year but it can be a pain if you dont know what your doing. Drop rear frame gotta take off sway bar and all that good stuff. Remember 17mm and 19mm are your best friend and get a good breaker bar while ur at it. i recommend having an impact gun and compressor if you can find it makes it a hell of alot easier took me 4 hours. And i work on cars alot. i guess in md they look at that for inspection here in texas $40 under table will do lol

[siresword]

lol
maybe i should give them $40 under the table

okay good stuff, i have an impact wrench and a breaker bar actually, so it should be fine
i guess its just putting in the time ..

thanks again everybody

[fubuallstar]

oh yeah you need a helper that stuffs heavy if lying on your back. Im not to sure about your config but mine i had to disconnect shift cable as well. Good Luck ur gonna need it