Steering rack bolt nightmare

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speezly
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Steering rack bolt nightmare

Post by speezly »

Sooooooo.... I think I have managed to strip the rack bolts on my legacy. I swapped in a rebuilt rack from a junker and when I went to torque everything down, the bolts just kept spinning. After much cursing and tantrum throwing, I attempted to remove the bolts, to no avail. What can I do to get these out? Would backing them out with an impact be a possible solution or just continue attempting to pry and back them out with hand tools? I'm trying to get any tips or advice I can before resorting to paying a shop to do it. Also, what are the chances they will back out under normal driving conditions?
93 Legacy l AWD 5mt
87 GL-10 Turbo 5mt
Legacy777
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Re: Steering rack bolt nightmare

Post by Legacy777 »

Are you talking about the bolts holding the clamps on for the steering rack?

If so, the weld that holds the nut to the subframe probably broke. You could try reaching through the top side of the subframe to reach those nuts. I would not recommend driving the car until you can secure those bolts.
Josh

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1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

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speezly
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Re: Steering rack bolt nightmare

Post by speezly »

I was assuming it was threaded inside of the subframe. I will get a chance to put it up on stands tomorrow. Sounds like an easier fix than I anticipated.
93 Legacy l AWD 5mt
87 GL-10 Turbo 5mt
speezly
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Re: Steering rack bolt nightmare

Post by speezly »

I just got out from under the car, and it looks to me that the bolts thread inside the subframe. I couldn't find any openings directly above the rack bolts. One is tightened and torqued to spec, but the other 3 keep spinning. The rack is not loose but I know I messed something up and I can't even back the bolts out. Am I screwed?
93 Legacy l AWD 5mt
87 GL-10 Turbo 5mt
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Re: Steering rack bolt nightmare

Post by Legacy777 »

The subframe is stamped sheet metal so there are nuts welded to it for those bolts. Whether you can access those nuts without cutting a hole in the subframe....that I don't know.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
speezly
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Re: Steering rack bolt nightmare

Post by speezly »

Damn. So am I in the market for a new subframe? It doesn't look to be accessible. The top of the subframe is smooth above the bolts, and I don't see anywhere I can possibly get to them. I'll probably end up having to tow the thing to my Subie specialist here in VA. I was really looking forward to testing out the new AGX and H&r spring combo....
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Re: Steering rack bolt nightmare

Post by Legacy777 »

This is unfortunately the best picture I have of the crossmember. You can see where the power steering rack bolts to it and I can't tell from the picture whether you can reach your fingers up to the back side to reach the nut or not.

Image

It may be better just to get another crossmember, and swap this one out for a new one. You should be able to drop the exhaust, power steering rack, unbolt the front A-arm mounts, unbolt the engine mounts from the crossmember, put a jack with a block of wood under the oil pan, and then lower the crossmember. I know it kind of sounds involved, but assuming you don't have any bolts that break, you could probably do it in half a day without issues or a day with issues.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
speezly
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Re: Steering rack bolt nightmare

Post by speezly »

Thanks josh. I found a junkyard donor, hopefully I can get things rolling. I miss driving the Lego...
93 Legacy l AWD 5mt
87 GL-10 Turbo 5mt
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Re: Steering rack bolt nightmare

Post by Legacy777 »

Keep us posted on how things go.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
speezly
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Re: Steering rack bolt nightmare

Post by speezly »

Well one of the nut welds broke on the subframe from the junkyard so it looks like I'm still going to have to do some cutting and welding myself.
93 Legacy l AWD 5mt
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speezly
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Re: Steering rack bolt nightmare

Post by speezly »

This is the one from the junkyard... 3 out of 4 came out smooth, the last one however...

ImageImage
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jamal
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Re: Steering rack bolt nightmare

Post by jamal »

Well that sucks. X-member doesn't have to be from an old legacy btw. everything up to 04 legacy/impreza will fit and a newish subframe will probably be easier to get out. 05-07 impreza has different rack mounts (but might be compatible anyway with the right brackets), then 05+ legacy and 08+ impreza isn't going to work.
speezly
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Re: Steering rack bolt nightmare

Post by speezly »

Jamal, once again you are the man. I'm sure I could find one off of a year in that range that rust hasn't destroyed. I may just get on with some custom fab since I spent all that effort pulling that one( I lie, the engine was already out, so aside from the bolts it wasn't too bad). One more question for you regarding subframe interchangeability... I will be swapping in an ej22t after I finish it(that could take a while) and I'm worried the xmember on the junker I'm pulling it from will do the same thing. I guess I could always leave the rack on and just unbolt the whole thing as one, right?
93 Legacy l AWD 5mt
87 GL-10 Turbo 5mt
speezly
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Posts: 281
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2010 2:12 pm
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Re: Steering rack bolt nightmare

Post by speezly »

Cross member problem solved! With a little ingenuity and some help from Keenan at All Aspects Motorsports, I was able to secure a nut on the spot that had to be cut. It was just a matter of installing the steering rack on the subframe before installing the subframe back onto the car. It's been so long since I drive my baby, and it feels really good.
93 Legacy l AWD 5mt
87 GL-10 Turbo 5mt
Legacy777
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Re: Steering rack bolt nightmare

Post by Legacy777 »

Glad you got it back working again.

Yeah, you can attach the steering rack before bolting the subframe to the car, so that's a great alternative to access a nut on the back side of the steering rack.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
speezly
Second Gear
Posts: 281
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2010 2:12 pm
Location: Hampton Roads, VA

Re: Steering rack bolt nightmare

Post by speezly »

I should have done it that way to begin with. Would have been a little easier than balancing it with my knee underneath the car. Thanks guys for the help
93 Legacy l AWD 5mt
87 GL-10 Turbo 5mt
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