Assembly Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. 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®.
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).

Fig 1: Attaching Inner Tie Rod To Rack
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

NOTE: The pipe wrench must be placed at the valve end of the steering gear and positioned up against the inner tie rod housing. Placing the pipe wrench in any other location will cause damage to the steering gear.
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.
Attach the inner tie rod (1) onto the rack.
NOTE: The pipe wrench must be placed at the valve end of the steering gear and positioned up against the inner tie rod housing. Placing the pipe wrench in any other location will cause damage to the steering gear.
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).

Fig 2: Sliding Shock Dampener Onto Rack
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
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.
Stake both sides of the female inner tie rod assembly housing to the male rack (1).

Fig 3: Staking Inner Tie Rod Assembly
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Insert a 0.25 mm gauge (1) between the male rack (2) and the female 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 4: Checking Stakes
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 and the breather tube. Refer to Rack and Pinion Boot and Breather Tube Replacement - Off Vehicle .

Fig 5: Sliding Shock Dampener Over Inner Tie Rod Housing
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.