I was recently told I need to replace the rack and pinion and powersteering pump on my 1988 Maxima. I have never attempted this major of an undertaking before. Just looking for pointers and estimated number of hours to complete??

 

Too bad Maxwgn isn't around a lot. He did this on his wagon....and believe me when I say this....it's quite tedious. As for pointers, I can't really give you any since I have not done this type of job.....but plan on quite a bit of hours.

S

 

I just had rack and pinion replaced on my 88, and the pointer I have is that the rack comes out the passenger side The guy who did it spent a while trying to pull it out on the drivers side, cursed and carried on for a few minutes, then it came right out the passenger side. Good luck

 

Sorry I haven't been around much...been fighting with a firewall on my connection, and been really busy at work - the only place I can get online...

As for the rack and pump, the pump isn't as bad as a lot of people will have you believe...the pump can actually be replaced in as little as an hour...I pulled my pump out, replaced all the seals and so forth, and reinstalled in an hour and half - my first time out...

The rack was another matter...yes, it comes out the passenger side, from above...it will be easier to do if you can drop the cross-member out of the car, but this entails having to support the engine/tranny combo from above...

When replacing the rack, also make sure you swap everything over PRIOR to taking back the old unit for the core...I made this mistake, and took forever to find the pressure switch assembly to complete the replacement...as I forgot to make sure I had everything off...

If you're replacing the pump and the rack, I'd suggest new hoses while you're at it...and don't forget new brass crush washers on the hollow bolts for the pressure hose...I didn'[t get them, and mine leaks from them...i will get down there and replace them this spring, after the weather clears up some...

And while you at it, again, I'd replace the tie-rod ends...you'll need an alignment after tyng it all back together anyway, and this will rpevent having to do the whole alignment thing again a couple months later, when a tie-rod end fails...

 

won't be available to much...for anyone who needs me, or would like to chat, I'm usually available under Yahoo as MaxWgn...and you can email me at maxwgn@gmail.com

 

You definitely need an alignment immediately after you swap the rack. Taking everything out screws it up, as I found out the hard way!

 

i have a leak on my hose towards the bottom of the connection....where are those washers located on the rack and pinion thingy ma gigger?

 

The pressure hose form the pump to the rack is attached with a large, hollow, flow-thru bolt. There should be a crush washer between both the head of the bolt on the banjo on the hose, and another between the hose banjo, and the mounting boss on the rack unit.