Swapping out power steering rack

[Darth]

Despite being reasonably competent with a socket set i have never had to do any work on steering before. Have to swap out my creaky rack. Have had a good search and doesn't seem too hard but if anyone who has done it before had any tips/shortcuts etc i would be interested in hearing them??

[toxo]

Work has to be done from underneath, drain the PS fluid first. If you're gonna replace the fluid make sure you do it like for like (if it's gold then replace it with gold). I just poured it into a clean container and then poured it back in afterwards though

It is pretty straight forward, I've done one in the dark before

Take a look here: http://www.mr2-tech.com/bgb/mechanical/ ... ring/8.htm

[Darth]

Cheers. Had a look through that already. Did you replace the O ring and washers or just bolt back up and hope for the best?

[toxo]

Just bolted it all back up - hasn't leaked since and this was over 2 years ago. Probably best practice to replace them though!

[Darth]

That would mean trying to track down the correct sizes and what not - think i'll take a gamble too!

[toxo]

They're just banjo bolts like the brass crush washers you use on brake lines so it shouldnt be that big a deal.

[Darth]

Ah well, i have a few of those knocking around so will replace them if i have the right size otherwise i'll just crush them more than were crushed already and all should be dandy!

How long do you reckon the job should take start to finish? (Not allowing for smoke breaks, plastering up skinned knuckles, trip to A&E to flush crap out my eyes etc - i'll factor those in myself?)

[toxo]

Probably took 2hrs start to finish, including jacking the car up and farting about with the front undertray.

[Darth]

Cheers. Will update how i got on