Rack End Removal and Installation: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Honda Fit, 2012 Honda Fit, 2011 Honda Fit, 2010 Honda Fit, and 2009 Honda Fit. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Hold the gearbox housing using a C-clamp (A) and wooden blocks (B) to a work bench as shown below. Do not clamp the cylinder part of the gearbox housing in a vise.

Fig 1: Identifying Gearbox Housing C-Clamp & Wooden Blocks
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install a new spacer (A), rubber stop (B), and a new lock washer (C). Align the lock washer tabs (D) with the flat spots (E) on the rack end joint housing (F). Install the rack end while housing the lock washer in place. Repeat this step for the other side of the rack.
NOTE: Make sure that the tapered side (G) of the rubber stop is toward the housing side.

Fig 2: Spacer, Rubber Stop & Lock Washer With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Bend the lock washer (A) back against the flat spots (B) on the rack end joint hosing.

Fig 3: Identifying Bend Lock Washer, Flat Spots On Rack End Joint Hosing
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Stake the lock washer at the stake point (A) on the rack.

Fig 4: Identifying Slake Point On Rack
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Apply multipurpose grease to the inside of the rack end joint housing (A).

Fig 5: Applying Multipurpose Grease To Inside Of Rack End Joint Housing
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Apply a light coat of silicone grease to the boot installation grooves (A) around on the gearbox housing. Install the boots (B) on the rack ends with the tie-rod clips (C), and fit the boot end in the installation grooves in the housing properly.

Fig 6: Identifying Boots On Rack Ends With Tie-Rod Clips
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
After installing the boots, wipe the grease off the threaded section (D) of the rack end.
Install the new boot bands by aligning the tabs (A) with the holes (B) of the band.

Fig 7: Identifying Boot Bands & Tabs
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Close the ear portion (A) of the boot band (B) with commercially available boot band pliers, Oetiker 1098 or equivalent (C).

Fig 8: Identifying Portion Of Boot Band With Boot Band Pliers
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Slide the rack right and left to be certain that the boots are not deformed or twisted.
Install the tie-rod ends to the rack end.
Install the steering gearbox (see STEERING GEARBOX REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ).