Technical Steering rack removal

[richardblack]

Dear All,
I need to remove the steering rack on my 2012 plus Panda 1.2 petrol.
It looks fairly straight forward but can't see how it is connected to the steering column. I am assuming that it isn't possible to lift the column clear of the rack so wonder if there is room to drop it away from the column.
I also wonder if there is any risk of harming the power steering in the process?
Any guidance welcome.
Thanks,
Richard.

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi

The rack is purely mechanical

It is the column that has assistance

Read the rack swap in the 500 section

Likely to be 95% the same.. just with potential for a little more working space

Keep everything 'straight ahead' and you shouldnt need to plug in to adjust torque values on column

 

[richardblack]

Thank you for that. I will nip to the 500 forum and have a look. Didn't think of that. Silly me.
Thank you
Richard

 

[varesecrazy]

For future reference

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/481485-fiat-500-steering-rack-removal.html?p=4544572

( the 18mm and 22mm .. probably referring to bolt heads.. so 'spanner sizes')

 

[varesecrazy]

Thank you for that. I will nip to the 500 forum and have a look. Didn't think of that. Silly me.
Thank you
Richard

If you get a chance to take pics.. that would be really helpful

Why are you planning to remove it..??

Charlie

 

[richardblack]

If you get a chance to take pics.. that would be really helpful

Why are you planning to remove it..??

Charlie

Wow, just had a look at the instructions. I don't think I want to do that. Fairly major.
Actually, it is just the inner track rod ball joint that is loose. I was thinking I would prefer to do it with the rack off so that I could peen the inner end into the groove (that is the way it locks on my Scudo) but not sure what to do now. I don't want to pay the Fiat place to do the rack. I am guessing they would want about £500 knowing their prices.
I could just loctite the track rod on as I did with my Scudo but not so happy with my wife's car.
I'll do some thinking on it.
Thank you very much for finding that for me.
Cheers,
Richard.