I use grease myself. But other cars do use fluid. But sure you can turn the rack. It’s all heavy duty metal. Just don’t put load on it or drive car etc. regardless if reassembly everything should be coated with oil or grease anyways so there should be some lubrication even if housing not filled up yet. I’ll post my rebuild video soon.
not as easy but sure. If the passenger side bellow is off would be easiest probably so you can measure. If thats not possible you'll have to use the gear box shaft method as I show in video but more difficult to mark locations and take measurements being installed in car. But using the shaft under the bellow would be easier if on the car. Sort of a tough decision.
I’m about to pull my steering rack for cleanup and new gators today and learned a LOT here that I had never considered. Thank you!
This is the most informative video on how to align rack and pinion. Thanks for not misguiding viewers
Glad it was helpful!
This measurement method is the best instead of counting turns.
Is it fine to turn the pinion without adding fluid first? Or would that damage the rack?
I use grease myself. But other cars do use fluid. But sure you can turn the rack. It’s all heavy duty metal. Just don’t put load on it or drive car etc. regardless if reassembly everything should be coated with oil or grease anyways so there should be some lubrication even if housing not filled up yet. I’ll post my rebuild video soon.
Can you do this on car?
not as easy but sure. If the passenger side bellow is off would be easiest probably so you can measure. If thats not possible you'll have to use the gear box shaft method as I show in video but more difficult to mark locations and take measurements being installed in car. But using the shaft under the bellow would be easier if on the car. Sort of a tough decision.