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View Full Version : Steering Rack Center or Centering


240KA
06-08-2011, 11:28 PM
i have a question on centering the rack and pinion. this was the same one that came with the car, but i removed it to put new steering rack bushings around it, and to bolt it to an ls1 friendly crossmember. this crossmember is finally fitted, engine mounted, headers on there, and now i've noticed my RP or my steering isn't centered.

i straightened my steering wheel before removing the steering shaft, and even put a mark on the steering shaft and steering knuckle so i can center it back up. i guess while flipping the crossmember to access bolts and to put new hardline crossovers, it somehow got turned because my rack and pinion now looks like this.

passenger side...
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s320/LifeChem/IMG_4177.jpg

driver side...
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s320/LifeChem/IMG_4181.jpg

could you guys please help me and explain how to center it? i'm assuming to turn the steering wheel portion until both ends of the steering rack that extend and retract are equal in length, but please edumacate me :)

upsdude
06-09-2011, 01:13 AM
turn the rack all the way to one side
turn the rack in the opposite direction till you can't turn anymore count the turns

divide by 2, that's the amt of turns to go from absolute left/right to centered.

so say it takes 30 turns absolute right to absolute left, then 15 turns from either side will bring you to the center

if this method is wrong let me know because this was what i was told by a friend of mine and never tried it.

Royal13
06-09-2011, 05:51 PM
^^ Is correct. I just did this last weekend. follow the steering column from the fire wall to the engine bay and locate where the column meets the rack. There are two joints at this location.. using this joint, you will basically be separating the column from the rack and centering both, then re attaching. Should end up with roughly 1.5 turns in each direction when centered (using steering wheel)

BOROSUN
08-27-2012, 10:11 PM
google brought me here...

just wanted to add more info.

this the correct length for centering. rack-end to the rack housing end.
http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo100/MANGOLIAN_IAN2/s13rack-PR25SC-1.jpg

also the easiest way is look for the plastic and metal indicator on top of the pinion gear housing. line them up and that should be the correct length. no disassemble needed.

artica
01-21-2013, 01:02 AM
If i put the godspeed angle adapter kit, 7mm on left and 12mm on right,
Does this give me a new center position?