XHighOctanex Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 Hey guys, I've done some research on this looking for options of ej racks swapped into the ea cars. Basically my stock rack is done, internal seals leak so bad it just fills the boot and then pees everywhere. I'd like to upgrade to an ej rack if possible and I've seen it done but no thorough write ups. What exactly needs to be done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 I"ve done it, and would not recommend again. The EJ rack is too wide between the inner tierods. (needs to be the same distance as between control arm pivots minus the distance from lower ball joint to tie rod arm of the knuckle.) What happens is you can get the Toe correct while wheels pointed straight and stationary. But movement of the suspension up and down, and turning wheels side to side the alignment goes off. Toe out during suspension plunge and in turns. The car was and is driveable. But it eats tires and feels weird in fast curvy road sections. I found a good EA82 rack in a late loyale 2wd sedan. Look for a 2wd one, they aren't as beat on and ussually in good shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvdrt Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 Just buy a new one off of RockAuto. I just bought one about 6 months ago and it has worked flawlessly. Think it cost $140, even came with inner tie rod ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted August 9, 2017 Author Share Posted August 9, 2017 Just buy a new one off of RockAuto. I just bought one about 6 months ago and it has worked flawlessly. Think it cost $140, even came with inner tie rod ends. That's my other option if I don't upgrade but if it's easy I figure why not lol. BTW I follow you on Instagram love your car 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvdrt Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 (edited) Thanks brother!! You have a pretty sweet wagon yourself! Edited August 9, 2017 by iluvdrt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 (edited) I bought one in the past and it didn't seem to feel as good as a stock one. It drove and operated fine so it wasn't bad but it didn't feel as solid and crisp. I'm not usually discerning or picky with stuff like that. For that price and value of not repeating the repair it's certainly worth it. I installed three racks before getting one that didn't leak, that's a total waste of time but parts are harder to find here. Ive kept a couple to maybe attempt a rebuild but doubt I'll even do it. There's a legacy forum thread where someone rebuilt one. Edited August 9, 2017 by idosubaru Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted August 9, 2017 Author Share Posted August 9, 2017 I"ve done it, and would not recommend again. The EJ rack is too wide between the inner tierods. (needs to be the same distance as between control arm pivots minus the distance from lower ball joint to tie rod arm of the knuckle.) What happens is you can get the Toe correct while wheels pointed straight and stationary. But movement of the suspension up and down, and turning wheels side to side the alignment goes off. Toe out during suspension plunge and in turns. The car was and is driveable. But it eats tires and feels weird in fast curvy road sections. I found a good EA82 rack in a late loyale 2wd sedan. Look for a 2wd one, they aren't as beat on and ussually in good shape. Hm I can get a new one from orielly for only 140$ through my discount might be worth it and maybe rebuild my stock and just eat the core charge. Or turn mine in and get one that doesn't look bad from a junkyarf and try going through it then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted August 9, 2017 Author Share Posted August 9, 2017 I bought one in the past and it didn't seem to feel as good as a stock one. It drove and operated fine so it wasn't bad but it didn't feel as solid and crisp. I'm not usually discerning or picky with stuff like that. For that price and value of not repeating the repair it's certainly worth it. I installed three racks before getting one that didn't leak, that's a total waste of time but parts are harder to find here. Ive kept a couple to maybe attempt a rebuild but doubt I'll even do it. There's a legacy forum thread where someone rebuilt one. You bought an ea one? Where from? I tend to use orielly or "first call" their commercial side before anything else and try to stay semi loyal to them lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 (edited) Actually I installed it in an XT6 so scratch that, they're steering is completely different. it didn't seem related to that but they're so different I have no leg to stand on with that suspicion. It was an EA rack but I don't recall where it was from, I think I grabbed it off eBay - I'll probably try a different source if I do it again. Edited August 9, 2017 by idosubaru Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagons Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Rock Auto I bought for $140 shipped. I installed, bled it and the handling is crisp compared to the old leaking stock rack. Just needs an alignment and we will be good to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rae houghton Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 (edited) today I came to the conclusion that I definitely need to replace my steering rack. Steering wheel has lots of play, when on a hoist and moving the wheels left/right I can hear the creaking of the rack. Steering column coupling is fine. Soooooo.....I have a parts car and can take out the rack from there.....but , pardon my ignorance, what am I looking for? How do I determine what the problem is in my present rack, and what to look for in my 'parts' rack...should I want to replace it for the shot one> Maybe the parts car has a shot rack tooo? Or is a new one the way to go? I live in Australia....thanks fellas.(ladies) Edited October 25, 2017 by rae houghton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted October 25, 2017 Author Share Posted October 25, 2017 today I came to the conclusion that I definitely need to replace my steering rack. Steering wheel has lots of play, when on a hoist and moving the wheels left/right I can hear the creaking of the rack. Steering column coupling is fine. Soooooo.....I have a parts car and can take out the rack from there.....but , pardon my ignorance, what am I looking for? How do I determine what the problem is in my present rack, and what to look for in my 'parts' rack...should I want to replace it for the shot one> Maybe the parts car has a shot rack tooo? Or is a new one the way to go? I live in Australia....thanks fellas.(ladies) Look for tears in the rack boots. They're just dust covers so make sure there is NO fluid leaking out. It's nice if the inner rods are stiff but off a parts car I doubt it. Floppy will still be fine. Really just make sure nothing leaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 today I came to the conclusion that I definitely need to replace my steering rack. Steering wheel has lots of play, when on a hoist and moving the wheels left/right I can hear the creaking of the rack. Steering column coupling is fine. Soooooo.....I have a parts car and can take out the rack from there.....but , pardon my ignorance, what am I looking for? How do I determine what the problem is in my present rack, and what to look for in my 'parts' rack...should I want to replace it for the shot one> Maybe the parts car has a shot rack tooo? Or is a new one the way to go? I live in Australia....thanks fellas.(ladies) Check that's it's not just the inner tierods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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