remove steering rack from 2001 caravan

I have a 2001 dodge caravan with a 3.3L V6 that needs a new steering
rack. If anyone on this group has done this replacement, how did you
access the two hydraulic lines attached to the steering rack to remove
them? They look like standard flare fittings. Everything else seems
straightforward for this repair but I don't see a way to reach these
fittings without taking out other components. The Chilton manual was
no help. TIA.

lehei

 

On a weekly basis I do them but have access to a lift. Not sure but I would
suspect you will have to put the vehicle on ramps to slide under the
vehicle. Make sure to center the steering wheel before removing the roll
pin on the lower shaft or damage to the clock spring will occur

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

underneath from the bac and you should use a 18mm flarenut crowfoot wrench

the hard part is getting te pin out of the steering shaft and then bac in
i use a special tool i made that fits the pin hole and stops when the
right depth is reached so the pin is not driven all the way out and it
used in a air hammer that i bought that is very small and gets right in
there. the air hammer is made by campbell-hausfield and was 20 bucs

 

good point about the clockspring
i forgot mention i use a 12" rubber band that i tie to the wheel and the
shifter it allows the needed spin but won't overspin the clockspring

 

Here in the Great Lakes rust belt, I have found it much easier to go inside
to the base of the steering column and undo the pinch bolt and separate it
there first. Then you are able to pull the rack away, allowing greater
access to the pin.

 

That is the correct procedure to do it!!

 

Thanks all, for the response. It looks like the hydraulic lines are
doable but now it looks like the pin might be the hardest part of
this. $80 online, for the tool!! Thanks again for the responses.

lehei