I am faced with the prospect of replacing the power steering rack on my 99 Accent GSI.
Does anyone has any information on the steps/procedure for DIYer. Any help is appreciated. I tried Lucas stop leak for PS. But to no avail.

I am almost done with replacing the PS rack on my Accent. Got a used from from the wrecker for 75$CAN ( has 65000 KM on it). Seems to be in good shape.

I followed the following steps

1. Disconnect the coupling bolt of universal joint assembly from the gear box.
2. disconnect the tie rod end from the knuckle.
3. Drain the fluid.
4. Diconnet the return hose from the PS gear housing.
5. Disconnect the banjo bolt from the PS pump ( it is hard to disconnect the high pressure line while the gear assembly is still on the car. I had to use propane torch to loosen the high pressure joint from the gear. once it was removed from the vehicle)
6. Remove the sway bar after loosening the bolts which is used to attach it to the body of t car. You will have to remove the sway bar link was well ( This is good time to replace them. Cost 10 dollar per side.)
7. Slide the sway bar throught the side of the car.
8. Remove the mounting bolts from the Sterring gear ( 4 bolts). This is little hard sinc there is not much room to work on.
9. Once the the bolts are loose, the gear assembly should detach from the universal joint which couples the gear assembly to the steering wheel.
10. Slide the gear assembly through the righ side of the car through the space between the drive shaft and control arm. Exercise caution when doing this. Removing the rear oxygen sensor will make this process easier.

Installion is the revers of the same process.
Don't forget to flush the fluid after the new/replacement rack is installed. Especially if the fluid was not flushed recently.

I did replace the tie rod as it is pretty easy while the rack is off the car. Once installed there was a slight toe, which I adjusted wihthe tie rod end turns.

This post has been edited by mohdc: Apr 2 2008, 08:41 AM