DIY Power Steering Rack and Pinion 2006 Chrysler Town and Country

2006 Chrysler Town and Country Power Steering rack Replacement

*READ THIS BEFORE WATCHING THE VIDEO*

Today, I am changing the power steering rack and pinion on my 2006 Chrysler Town and Country. This repair will be similar on 2001-2007 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravans. This is a somewhat lengthy repair due to the sheer number of bolts to be removed and the limited accessibility to a few of those bolts as well as the actual steering lines themselves. Estimated repair time is 4-6 hours but may vary depending on work conditions/weather (if working outdoors etc.) or if there are rusty or broken bolts to contend with. Take extreme caution while working underneath a suspended vehicle and use good quality equipment to lift and or suspend the vehicle off of the ground (No cinder blocks, guys… No, I’m serious here… No cinder blocks!).

*CAUTION* Before detaching the steering wheel shaft, make sure that the wheel is centered and tied in place with a ratchet strap etc. Otherwise, you run the risk of damage to your clock spring.

In the video, I mention that the reinforcing plate has various size bolts. Those sizes range from 10mm up to 21mm in size.

Re-attaching the power steering lines to the rack, do this before tightening the three bolts that hold the rack in the cradle. Otherwise, it will make re-attaching the lines more difficult. So, have the rack hanging loosely by the three bolts but do not tighten the bolts that hold the rack in place until after lines are attached and tightened. This is so that you can move the rack a little while attempting to get the fittings aligned correctly.

Suggested tools needed to complete this job;

21mm combination wrench 22mm combination wrench
18mm combination wrench 18mm line wrench
10mm socket
18mm socket
21mm socket
15mm socket
7mm and 5/16 socket
3/8”drive ratchet and breaker bar
Flat tip screwdriver
O-Ring Hook Scribe
Needle nose pliers
Hammer
Pin punch
Adjustable wrench
Jack stands
Floor or other appropriate type jack
Four way lug wrench 19mm Various length extensions
Ratchet Strap
Optional Tools
Air Compressor ½” impact wrench (Air or Electric)

For some reason, the footage I shot showing the re-attachment of the power steering lines, outer tie rod ends (as well as torqueing the bolts when re-assembling) became corrupted, so it’s not shown in the video, but here is a list of those torque values located below.

CAUTION: Proper torque on the steering gear to suspension cradle mounting bolts is very important.

Tighten the 3 steering gear to suspension cradle mounting bolts to a torque of 183 N•m or 135 ft. lbs.

Attach the power steering fluid pressure and return lines to the proper fittings on the steering gear. Tighten the power steering fluid line tube nuts to a torque of 31 N•m or 275 in. lbs.

When installing the tie rod ends into the steering knuckles tighten the tie rod end attaching nuts to a torque of 54 N•m or 40 ft. lbs.

CAUTION: Proper torque on the cradle plate to suspension cradle mounting bolts is very important.

Install cradle plate on front suspension cradle and then install the 21 cradle plate to cradle attaching bolts. Tighten the 9 M-14 attaching bolts to a torque of 165 N•m or 123 ft. lbs. Tighten the 1 M-12 attaching bolt to a torque of 108 N•m or 80 ft. lbs.

Make sure to torque the wheel lug nuts to 129 N•m or 95 ft. lbs.

If you disconnected the steering shaft at the intermediate coupler, turn the front wheels (not the steering wheel) of the vehicle to the left until the intermediate coupler shaft is properly aligned with the steering column coupler. Assemble the steering column shaft coupler onto the steering gear intermediate coupler. After installing the steering column coupler to intermediate shaft retaining pinch bolt, tighten the pinch bolt nut to a torque of 28 N•m or 250 in. lbs.

*Disclaimer*

I am not a professional mechanic. This video is for entertainment purposes only. The use of this video is strictly for advice, take or leave it. Complete this repair at your own risk. I cannot be held responsible for any mishaps or damage to you or your vehicle that might occur when you are performing this repair. You, the viewer, accepts all risks and responsibilities involved with this type of repair. Make sure that you take all necessary measures to insure that you are safe while conducting any repair that involves getting under a suspended vehicle. Use a quality set of appropriate sized jack and jack stands rated for the weight of your vehicle and ensure that they are in good working order before starting this repair. Furthermore, I am not sponsored or compensated in any way for the tools or part brands shown in this video.

Production equipment;
Camera: Hero 7 Black with a Bower multi directional microphone
Video Editing software: Corel VideoStudio Pro 2020
Date and location of recording; October 25 and 26, 2021