LegacyOutback96 Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 Hello all. New to the forum. 1996 Legacy outback. Boot on rack and pinion on passenger side broken and pouring fluid onto exhaust. smoke everywhere. How difficult to replace rack DIY. If this has been discussed could some one point me in the right direction. Would love detailed directions w/maybe a few pics. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subikid90 Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 Are you sure its not the CV joint? Most of the time a CV joint will splatter grease onto the exhaust when the boot breaks not the steering rack. -Subikid90 1997 Legacy GT 5spd & EJ251 w/EJ25D heads ~10.5CR 1998 Legacy GT Limited waiting for EJ22T hybrid swap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegacyOutback96 Posted May 28, 2011 Author Share Posted May 28, 2011 No. It's the steering rack. Have to add fluid to the power steering reservoir constantly. Have delt w/many CV joints on the Outback. Have been told by a mechanic that it is the rack. Just thought I might be able to do it myself and save some $$$. Times are tight in the carpentry world. Have a preemie at the house that was born at 2 pounds. Spent a lot of time in Neonatal Intensive care. Trying to save all the cash I can. I can get a remanufactured rack for less than $150.00. Mechanic wants close to $500.00. Any help would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subikid90 Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 Ok just wanted to make sure. Replacing the whole rack is not to bad. If you have 2 people it makes the job much easier. Here is a complete rack replacement http://www.rs25.com/forums/f105/t128519-diy-power-steering-rack-replacment.html -Subikid90 1997 Legacy GT 5spd & EJ251 w/EJ25D heads ~10.5CR 1998 Legacy GT Limited waiting for EJ22T hybrid swap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnegg Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 these racks do not fail very often. buying a used one is a pretty safe bet, ~$65 from http://www.car-part.com. time to r&r is 2-3 hours. and you will need an alignment when you are done. good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegacyOutback96 Posted May 29, 2011 Author Share Posted May 29, 2011 Thanks for the forum info. Looks like something I can handle. Will attempt this coming weekend. I'll let you know how it turns out. I think I'll go with a remanufactured rack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lookatmyrust Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 you siad just the boot broke? just buy a new boot for 10 bucks. i had to replace both mine on my last car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegacyOutback96 Posted May 29, 2011 Author Share Posted May 29, 2011 Because of broken boot, all kinds of debris has gotten in and ruined the seals in the rack. The boot is there for protection, not to hold back fluid that is pouring out like a river. My Legacy sees plenty of offroad action here in the mountains. It is a 2 mile gravel road to my house. 250,000 miles on this rack and pinion. Got to love a Subaru. Anyhow, bought a reman. rack from Rackdoctor.com for $99.95 plus $65.00 core charge. All of the bolts on the underside look remarkably good. exhaust man. bolts look great. Looks like a 2-3 hr. job. Going to tackle it this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subikid90 Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Good luck with the repair. I dont think there is much to it besides maybe the power steering fluid being everywhere lol. Make sure to mark your tie rods before you remove them so your alignment is not messed up. Most people count the rotations to unscrew it. -Subikid90 1997 Legacy GT 5spd & EJ251 w/EJ25D heads ~10.5CR 1998 Legacy GT Limited waiting for EJ22T hybrid swap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegacyOutback96 Posted May 30, 2011 Author Share Posted May 30, 2011 Thanks alot Subikid90. You have been very helpful. Thanks for the Rack replacement forum site. A lot more informative than the Haynes manual. It's always good to have an actual picture to look at. even if it is blurry. Looks pretty straightforward. Its already a mess under there from all of the leaking fluid so a little more can't be too bad. I've heard about counting the rotations of the tie rods from a few people. I just have to remember to write them down. Thanks again. It's great to have people like you to try to answer our questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subikid90 Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 No problem, glad I can help. -Subikid90 1997 Legacy GT 5spd & EJ251 w/EJ25D heads ~10.5CR 1998 Legacy GT Limited waiting for EJ22T hybrid swap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegacyOutback96 Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share Posted June 11, 2011 Everything went great. One of 2 exhaust bolt/nuts where manifold connects to cat was a PITA. Couldn't have done without impact wrench. Replaced rack, new outer tie rod ends, got a front end alignment and am good to go. Thanks to all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewby Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 thanks for the rack and pinion info! damn. hope your kid is doing all right. now go spend some time applying for help from the state with the medical bills. we just had a kid and it was crazy how much of the bill they will dissolve if you are persistent. don't know what NC is like, but it works in OR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegacyOutback96 Posted June 12, 2011 Author Share Posted June 12, 2011 Thanks. Child has had 2 surgeries so far. everything is looking like it is going to be allright. The state looks like it is going to step in and help on some of the medical bills. Had 2 miscarriages before, so Hunter is our miracle child. Maybe he can inherit the 96 Outback when he is old enough. Should only have about 450,000 or so miles by then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated broknindarkagain Posted June 12, 2011 I Donated Share Posted June 12, 2011 I don't see anything about any kids in this thread besides the last two posts? What am I missing? And if you take care of the outback, it will last until your boy is old enough to drive ^_^ -broknindarkagain My Current Project - Click Here COME AND TAKE IT "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegacyOutback96 Posted June 12, 2011 Author Share Posted June 12, 2011 It's way back in post #3. My wife had a 2 lb. preemie. Spent 56 days in neonatal intensive care. Has already had 2 surgeries to correct twisted upper intestines. The last one just last week. Came home yesterday. Hopefully this was the last one. Never say never. Wife, Danielle had multiple problems during pregnancy. Luckily we were already in the hospital when all hell broke loose. Little Hunter was born in 26 minutes by emergency C-section at 30 weeks. 10 weeks early. On top of that, Danielle's C-section became infected in the hospital resulting in another 21 days in the hospital for her w heavy IV anti-biotics. Even with an 80/20 insurance plan, 20% of all of this is still a major expense. It is only money though. I have been truly blessed with a wonderful wife and an amazing little boy. Plus I own a Subaru. Bought the Sub at 40,000 miles, Now has close to 250,000. New head gasket, water pump at 150,000. Not much else. Runs like a top. I am a stickler for routine maintenance. Thanks for asking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baddog Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Best of luck to you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subikid90 Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Glad to see everything went smooth for you. Best of luck to you, thats one hell of a story! -Subikid90 1997 Legacy GT 5spd & EJ251 w/EJ25D heads ~10.5CR 1998 Legacy GT Limited waiting for EJ22T hybrid swap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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