How to Remove the Steering Rack in a 1995 Mustang

The 1995 Ford Mustang came equipped with a power rack and pinion steering system that provides excellent steering control and driver feedback. This type of steering system is very durable but over time the unit will develop a leak when seals inside it wear out. The physical location of the unit used in the Mustang can also allow damage to occur from impact with objects in the road. Replacement of the rack and pinion unit in the Mustang is straightforward and well within the skill level of an experienced home mechanic.

Instructions

1

Start the engine and center the steering wheel. Turn off the engine and remove the key from the ignition to lock the steering wheel in the centered position. Disconnect the negative battery cable using a 10 mm wrench to prevent accidental air bag deployment.

2

Block the rear wheels by wedging wheel chocks against the rear tires. Apply the parking brake. Raise and support the front of the car using a floor jack and jack stands. Remove both front wheels using a lug wrench.

3

Remove the cotter pins that secure the outer tie-rod end nuts using a pair of wire cutters. Loosen the tie-rod jamb nuts that secure the outer tie-rod ends to the inner tie rod using a 21 mm wrench. Remove the tie-rod end nuts using a 18 mm wrench and disconnect the tie rods from the steering knuckles by applying a few sharp blows to the steering knuckle near the tie-rod end.

4

Slide a drain pan under the unit. Disconnect power steering lines from the rack and pinion unit using a 16 mm line wrench. Remove the 10 mm pinch bolt that secures the steering shaft coupler to the rack and pinion unit using a 10 mm socket.

5

Unbolt rack and pinion unit from the front sub-frame using a 19 mm deep socket and ratchet while using a 19 mm wrench to prevent the frame bolts from turning. Pry the steering shaft coupler off the rack and pinion unit and slide the unit from under the car.

6

Slide the new rack and pinion unit into place on the frame and reinstall the frame bolts. Line up the flat area of the coupler with the flat area of the steering shaft and reconnect the steering shaft coupler to the rack and pinion unit. The coupler can only be installed one way on the unit.

7

Reinstall the coupler pinch bolt and torque the nut to between 20 and 30 foot-pounds using a torque wrench. Reinstall the power steering lines. Torque the frame bolts to between 30 and 40 foot-pounds and torque the power steering lines to between 20 and 25 foot-pounds.

8

Install new tie-rod ends, or transfer the outer tie-rod ends from the old rack and pinion unit to the new unit. Reconnect the outer tie-rod ends to the steering knuckle and torque the nuts to between 35 and 47 foot-pounds. Torque the tie-rod end jamb nuts to between 35 and 50 foot-pounds.

9

Add power steering fluid to the power steering pump reservoir. Reconnect the negative battery cable and start the engine. Turn the steering wheel in both directions until it stops and add additional power steering fluid as required.

10

Reinstall the front wheels and torque the lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds. Raise the Mustang off the jack stands, remove the stands, and lower the vehicle to the ground. Drive to an auto repair shop and have a front end alignment completed.