Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Assembly Procedure
- Slide the shock dampener (4) forward onto the rack (3).IMPORTANT: Threads must be clean prior to LOCTITE® application. Check LOCTITE®, or equivalent, container for expiration date. Use only enough LOCTITE® to evenly coat threads.
If male rack (3) and female inner tie rod (2) do not apply LOCTITE®.
- If female rack (3) and male inner tie rod (2), apply LOCTITE® 262, or equivalent, to the inner tie rod threads.
- Attach the inner tie rod onto the rack (3).NOTE: Refer to PIPE WRENCH POSITIONING NOTICE .
- Place a pipe wrench on the rack (3) next to the inner tie rod housing (2).NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE .
- Place a torque wrench and J 34028
on the flats of the inner tie rod housing (2).
Tighten
Tighten the inner tie rod to 100 N.m (74 lb ft).
- Slide the shock dampener (2) forward onto the rack.IMPORTANT: Threads must be clean prior to LOCTITE® application. Check LOCTITE®, or equivalent, container for expiration date. Use only enough LOCTITE® to evenly coat threads.
If male rack and female inner tie rod (1) do not apply LOCTITE®
- If female rack and male inner tie rod (1), apply LOCTITE® 262, or equivalent, to the inner tie rod threads.
- Attach the inner tie rod (1) onto the rack.NOTE: Refer to PIPE WRENCH POSITIONING NOTICE .
- Place a pipe wrench on the rack next to the inner tie rod housing (4).
- Place a torque wrench and J 34028
on the flats of the inner tie rod housing (7).
Tighten
Tighten the inner tie rod to 100 N.m (74 lb ft).
- Place the inner tie rod assembly (2) in a vise.IMPORTANT: If female rack (1) and male inner tie rod (2) do not stake. If male rack (1) and female inner tie rod (2) you must stake.
- Stake both sides of the female inner tie rod assembly housing to the male rack.
- Insert a 0.010 inch gage (1) between the rack (2) and the inner tie rod housing in order to check both stakes. The feeler (1) must not pass between the rack and the housing stake.
- Slide the shock dampener (2) over the inner tie rod housing (3) until the front lip of the shock dampener (2) bottoms against the inner tie rod housing (3).
- To assemble the rack and pinion boot and the breather tube. Refer to Rack and Pinion Boot and Breather Tube Replacement - Off Vehicle .
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.