Rack and Pinion bushing install

djui5 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:38 am **Posts:** 536

Well I finally got around to getting this done. What a pain. It woulda been a lot easier had I read the instructions on this site, ahem.

Anyway, while the rack was out I replaced the passenger CV since it was making funny noises. I also found out that (keeping my fingers crossed) I think the leak coming from the top of the rack where the steering hooks up was caused by the bad bushings! Onto the pictures with descriptions:

This is what the passenger side looked like. In order to get this thing out I had to remove the disconnects, the knuckle/hub, the front bolt on the lower control arm, the fan, the oil filter and that drain thingee, the passenger side axle mount (entirely), and passenger CV axle. It took forever trying to figure out what all had to be removed. Once everything was loose/out, the rack slid right out the passenger side just above the lower control arm:

This is what the top of the R&P looks like with it removed. This rubber seal on the top is where I was having a leak from. I pulled it off and noticed a LOT of dirt underneath. There is a snap ring below it holding the R&P together. The snap ring looked ok, so I cleaned all of the dirt out of it. After that I pushed the rubber seal back into place. It fits into the hole very tight. What I think happened is when the bushings went out the R&P was allowed to move around more than normal and that pushed this seal out of it's home. I'm hoping that by cleaning this out, pushing the seal back in, and changing the bushings it won't leak anymore! I also tried to get the seal out to take a picture of the inside, but that thing won't come out :mrgreen:

Anyway, here is what the whole thing looks like when it is cleaned up. I used a wire wheel on the drill and some brake parts cleaner. The thing looks brand new. The bushings went in really easy, and the re-install was a piece of cake.

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 14, 2010 12:00 am

nice...good post...will help lost of people me be thinkin

phxtoad · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:45 am

Randy,

I'm coming over when mine finally goes. I'll bring you alcohol and bacon wrapped bacon. Deal?

Todd

FreedomKJ · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2010 1:46 pm

Randy,

Has replacing the bushings and cleaning the seal stopped your leaking?

Mine is leaking from the same place and if I can avoid buying a new R&P I'd like to.

djui5 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:38 am **Posts:** 536

phxtoad wrote:

Randy,

I'm coming over when mine finally goes. I'll bring you alcohol and bacon wrapped bacon. Deal?

Todd

Sounds good! "Will work for bacon" :BANANA:

djui5 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:38 am **Posts:** 536

FreedomKJ wrote:

Randy,

Has replacing the bushings and cleaning the seal stopped your leaking?

Mine is leaking from the same place and if I can avoid buying a new R&P I'd like to.

Yes it did! I checked it a few days after re-installing the rack and it hadn't leaked at all. I just checked it again and everything is golden. As long as that rubber seal is still in the top of the rack then replace your bushings, pull the seal off and clean out underneath where the seal goes, then press the seal back into the top of the rack. It won't come out as long as your bushings are good.

I meant to post a link to this on all the "leaking R&P" threads but I can't find them.

It sure saves a LOT of money vs replacing the whole rack.

Fouros · **Posted:** Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:12 am

where did you find the bushings for the rack from ?????? part numbers ????????

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:19 am

yeah and the Round gasket/bushing thingy that goes in the hole the big bolt goes through that holds it on

cause the top half of mine is missing :oops:

lol

Fouros · **Posted:** Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:30 am

same here

i think if my KJ was a horse they would have put it down ATM

djui5 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:38 am **Posts:** 536

I got the bushings at Napa. Just ask for Rack and Pinion bushings. They are kinda small. 2004 KJ Part # 274-9236
http://napaonline.com/Search/Detail.asp ... 0131089530

They have this weird stuff on them, just wipe it off with your fingers, then run some gear oil (diff fluid) around the outside and they go right into place.

Jarhead,
These are the parts that came apart on your KJ. Mine were almost gone too. You install them from the bottom. The top will stick out past the rack, but once you tighten the bolt down the rubber "folds over" and creates the top ring, if that makes sense.

Fouros,
I had these go out, the passenger CV axle, and the transmission mount all in a months span. The Jeep would make weird vibrations when sitting still from the tranny mount, the rack was leaking like hell, the steering was horrible and the cv was clicking. It was miserable. After fixing all this stuff at once it felt like I was driving a new Jeep again.

I was just so glad this stopped the leak cuz installing a new rack is $$$$$$$$$

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:50 am

thanks randy

Looks like I've got bushings to install

durangotang · **Posted:** Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:55 am

Soooooooooo.... do you think you could be sneaky and replace the bushings without removing all the other stuff?

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:59 am

i'm gonna find out

got my uca's in without removing anything other than the airbox lol

Fouros · **Posted:** Sat Jan 23, 2010 2:19 am

thanks mate

i will just have to work out how to get NAPA to deliver to Australia

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 23, 2010 2:25 am

whats it cost to mail a box/envelope the size of a small camera these days?

durangotang · **Posted:** Sat Jan 23, 2010 3:41 am

I got mine from rockauto.com

CHeck to see if they ship internationally

Fouros · **Posted:** Sat Jan 23, 2010 4:44 am

thanks for the link mate

they do ship internationally

djui5 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:38 am **Posts:** 536

durangotang wrote:

Soooooooooo.... do you think you could be sneaky and replace the bushings without removing all the other stuff?

No. I tried :ROTFL:

It's gotta come out. Well you might be able to if you removed the boots at either end of the rack (the inner boots) and took the rack apart, but I wouldn't do that unless you've done it before. Plus the boots need a special tool to replace them, same as CV boots.

djui5 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:38 am **Posts:** 536

Fouros wrote:

thanks for the link mate

they do ship internationally

If you have any troubles let me know. I could pick up a pair for you and ship them via USPS or Fedex.

Rack and Pinion bushing install

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