Assembly Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Pontiac Montana, 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and 2002 Chevrolet Venture. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Slide the shock dampener (4) forward onto the rack (3).
IMPORTANT: Threads must be clean prior to LOCTITE® application. Check LOCTITE® or equivalent container for expiration date. Use only enough LOCTITE® to evenly coat threads.

If male rack (3) and female inner tie rod (2) do not apply LOCTITE®.

Fig 1: Installing Shock Dampener
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
If female rack (3) and male inner tie rod (2), apply LOCTITE® 262 or equivalent to the inner tie rod threads.
Attach the inner tie rod onto the rack (3).
NOTE: Refer to PIPE WRENCH POSITIONING NOTICE .
Place a pipe wrench on the rack (3) next to the inner tie rod housing (2).
NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE .
Place a torque wrench and J 34028 on the flats of the inner tie rod housing (2).
Tighten

Tighten the inner tie rod to 100 N.m (74 lb ft).
Slide the shock dampener (2) forward onto the rack.
IMPORTANT: Threads must be clean prior to LOCTITE® application. Check LOCTITE® or equivalent container for expiration date. Use only enough LOCTITE® to evenly coat threads.

If male rack and female inner tie rod (1) do not apply LOCTITE®.
If female rack and male inner tie rod (1), apply LOCTITE® 262 or equivalent to the inner tie rod threads.

Fig 2: Inner Tie Rod Assembly

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Attach the inner tie rod (1) onto the rack.
NOTE: Refer to PIPE WRENCH POSITIONING NOTICE .
Place a pipe wrench on the rack next to the inner tie rod housing (4).
Place a torque wrench and J 34028 on the flats of the inner tie rod housing (7).
Tighten

Tighten the inner tie rod to 100 N.m (74 lb ft).
Place the inner tie rod assembly (2) in a vise.
IMPORTANT: If female rack (1) and male inner tie rod (2) do not stake. If male rack (1) and female inner tie rod (2) you must stake.

Fig 3: Staking Female Inner Tie Rod Assembly Housing

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Stake both sides of the female inner tie rod assembly housing to the male rack.

Fig 4: Checking Stakes

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Insert a 0.25 mm gauge (1) between the rack (2) and the inner tie rod housing in order to check both stakes. The feeler gauge (1) must not pass between the rack and the housing stake.

Fig 5: Sliding Shock Dampener Over Inner Tie Rod Housing

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Slide the shock dampener (2) over the inner tie rod housing (3) until the front lip of the shock dampener (2) bottoms against the inner tie rod housing (3).
To assemble the rack and pinion boot. Refer to RACK AND PINION BOOT REPLACEMENT - Off Vehicle .