Assembly Procedure

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).
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).

Fig 1: Identifying Proper Placement Of Pipe Wrench On Rack
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE in Cautions and Notices.
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).

Fig 2: Placing Pipe Wrench On Rack
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
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).
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: Placing Inner Tie Rod Assembly In A Vise
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Insert a 0.25 mm gage (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: Inserting A Gage Between Male Rack And Female Inner Tie Rod Housing
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).

Fig 5: Sliding Shock Dampener Over Inner Tie Rod Housing
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
To assemble the rack and pinion boot and the breather tube. Refer to RACK AND PINION BOOT AND BREATHER TUBE REPLACEMENT - OFF VEHICLE .