calvette 11

I have a 93 vette. Last week I had to pull the front damper to put a crank shaft seal in the timing chain cover. I disconnected the line that is in the middle on the rack and pinion. I stripped the treads screwing it back on. What is next? Do I have to pull the rack and pinion to fix this?
If need be, How do you get the unit out, with the engine in the car?

Thanks

85corvettec4

how stripped is it? will it thread in at all?

calvette 11

Yes it will hold some .

85corvettec4

theres always the "tap and get a bigger fitting" solution. i would run a tap through the correct size and wrap the fitting in Teflon and see how that holds up, as its a through hole into a mechanical piece there isnt much that can be done, atleast to my knowledge.

Cliff Harris

The steering rack isn't too hard to get out. The problem is that you have to disconnect the high pressure line to get it out and that is NOT easy to do.

You need to remove the front sway bar to get the rack out.

93 ragtop

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85corvettec4

theres always the "tap and get a bigger fitting" solution. i would run a tap through the correct size and wrap the fitting in Teflon and see how that holds up, as its a through hole into a mechanical piece there isnt much that can be done, atleast to my knowledge.

No, you cannot tap that fitting. It is either a flare fitting or a fitting with a o-ring. If you cannot take it apart, clean it up, replace o-ring, it there is one, or tighten it back down to a flare, you will need to pull the rack and change it.
FWIW on my 93 the line is bent to allow access with a socket and extention.

calvette 11

The one that is stripped is a flare, the other end has a o ring. Does any one know the sizes?

93 ragtop

When you ask the size, are you talking about the wrench size or thread size?

calvette 11

Thread size

garryowen

thats pretty much it.

some of the treads match bolt thread. or come close. you can try to find a nut that might start on your fitting and go from there.

i have save these in the past. depends on it you crossed it and just snugged it down, or kept turning till you pulled the threads.

if you didn't pull the thread and can get a bottom tap, you can gently massage it to the original thread and do a good job of getting it cleaned up. then start the tubing nut back on.

make sure you don't disturb the flare surface in the rack body. that lip is what makes the seal and no amount of tape or any thing else will seal if that lip is messed up.

if you get the threads cleaned up, clean all traces of oil from line and rack body. gently start nut. apply red loc tite. not to seal but to hold nut if you can get the flare to seal. you would have to heat to remove line again and this can be a one time repair but done slowly and carefully is very doable.
good light and magnifying glass are a big help

calvette 11

The reason I wanted the size, is I thought about getting a pipe fitting and a tube and make a line. One going into the rack and a male going into the line. Is this do able? I have to remove the damper just to get to and tighten the line.