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2005 Caravan steering rack replacement #1091438
10/09/11 09:32 PM
10/09/11 09:32 PM
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Atlanta Indiana
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Dave Watt Offline OP
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Dave Watt  Offline OP
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Atlanta Indiana
We have a 2005 Grand Caravan. I've replaced the steering rack before due to the driver side being worn out. For the most part the job was pretty easy. Take off the sheet metal support off the bottom of the aluminum engine/trans cradle, then a few bolt holding the rack in, and disconnect the steering colum. It took me a couple of to get the lines disconnected because the are so tight in there on top of the aluminum cradle right next to the rear engine mount.
This rack has worn out too. Is there any trick to taking the lines loose so the rack will drop out of the cradle? Maybe a 12-point line wrench?

Re: 2005 Caravan steering rack replacement [Re: Dave Watt] #1091439
10/09/11 09:43 PM
10/09/11 09:43 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,941
WI
Dcuda69 Offline
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Dcuda69  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2005
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WI
What is worn out on the rack? Unless it's leaking I have a hard time understanding "worn out". If the inner tie rods are loose, that's all I would replace. That can be done in the vehicle.

Re: 2005 Caravan steering rack replacement [Re: Dcuda69] #1091440
10/09/11 09:53 PM
10/09/11 09:53 PM
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Posts: 5,048
Atlanta Indiana
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Dave Watt Offline OP
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Dave Watt  Offline OP
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Atlanta Indiana
Wish it were just the inner tie rod, but it's not.
The bore of the aluminum rack is worn out from the rack gear sliding in and out. We have a side load garage and a coarse concrete driveway. So my wife is always making a full right turn to get into the garage. The rack gear is fully extended wearing the inside of the rack out. It's leaking at that spot also.

Re: 2005 Caravan steering rack replacement [Re: Dave Watt] #1091441
10/09/11 11:01 PM
10/09/11 11:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,063
Niles , Ohio
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therocks Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
therocks  Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
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Niles , Ohio
I use a lot of crows foot line wrenches that go on a 3/8 ratchet.They will usually let you get to the lines pretty easy with wobble extensions and or impact swivels.Then I use mostly stubby wrenches to finish removing them.After doing a bunch it gets a bit easier.Some GMs you basically had no room to get to the fittings and they worked for me.Rocky


Chrysler Firepower
Re: 2005 Caravan steering rack replacement [Re: therocks] #1091442
10/09/11 11:10 PM
10/09/11 11:10 PM
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Posts: 327
wisconsin
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mod381 Offline
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wisconsin
If you take the emmisions canister (3 bolts) out of the way you can get to lines very easy with a wrench.

Re: 2005 Caravan steering rack replacement [Re: mod381] #1091443
10/10/11 05:43 PM
10/10/11 05:43 PM
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Posts: 5,048
Atlanta Indiana
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Dave Watt Offline OP
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Dave Watt  Offline OP
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Atlanta Indiana
Thanks for the tricks and tips guys. Sounds like a good plan.

Re: 2005 Caravan steering rack replacement [Re: Dave Watt] #1091444
10/10/11 10:43 PM
10/10/11 10:43 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,994
Benton, IL.
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DaveRS23 Offline
Special needs idiot
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,994
Benton, IL.
I have cut the metal line in a convenient place and used a compression union to reconnect it. Has always worked without a hitch for me.


Master, again and still
Re: 2005 Caravan steering rack replacement [Re: DaveRS23] #1091445
10/10/11 10:52 PM
10/10/11 10:52 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,048
Atlanta Indiana
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Dave Watt Offline OP
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Dave Watt  Offline OP
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Joined: Nov 2003
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Atlanta Indiana
Quote:

I have cut the metal line in a convenient place and used a compression union to reconnect it. Has always worked without a hitch for me.



I thought about that too, but still wouldn't be able to drop the rack through the hole in the aluminum cradle. It is just big enough for the top of the rack to feed through.

Re: 2005 Caravan steering rack replacement [Re: therocks] #1091446
10/10/11 10:54 PM
10/10/11 10:54 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,048
Atlanta Indiana
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Dave Watt Offline OP
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Dave Watt  Offline OP
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,048
Atlanta Indiana
Quote:

I use a lot of crows foot line wrenches that go on a 3/8 ratchet.They will usually let you get to the lines pretty easy with wobble extensions and or impact swivels.Then I use mostly stubby wrenches to finish removing them.After doing a bunch it gets a bit easier.Some GMs you basically had no room to get to the fittings and they worked for me.Rocky



I've been looking at the crows foot line wrenches and even found some that have a built in swivel. Might be the way to go if spending money on them anyway? Anyone have experience with them?







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