OEM 2001 Chrysler Town & Country Rack And Pinion

2001 Chrysler Town & Country Rack And Pinion Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Service and Repair a Rack and Pinion Steering System on 2001 Chrysler Town & Country?

  A: If repairing the rack and pinion, always begin by unscrewing the top of the fluid reservoir, then suck out the liquid with a siphon pump so the filter mesh does not become clogged. Secure the steering wheel in the middle position when you disconnect it from the steering column to stop the Clock Spring from going all the way inside during removal. Place the steering wheel in its middle position and secure it using a holding tool. When the vehicle is resting, take out the steering column shaft coupler from the rack and pinion intermediate coupler and after raising the car, remove the front wheels and tires. After that, take out the front emissions vapor canister and disconnect one hose on the power steering cooler, so the fluid can drain freely. Take off the bolts that keep the power steering cooler attached to the cradle crossmember reinforcement. On each side of the car, get rid of the nut holding the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Hold the tie rod end with a socket and loosen it with a wrench. Let go of the bolts holding the leak detection pump to the cradle crossmember reinforcement. After that, disconnect the outsides of both rods from the steering knuckles using Puller, Special Tool C-3894. Release the two bolts that hold the lower control arm rear bushings on each side; remember that the bolts joining the cradle crossmember reinforcement are each a different size. The next steps are to remove both bolts where the cradle crossmember meets the front suspension cradle crossmember, then to remove the two bolts connecting the reinforcement and rear cradle to the vehicle body. Take out the lower rear bushings and afterward remove the reinforcement. If your car has All-Wheel-Drive, you'll want to take out the power transfer unit. Unhook both tube nuts and the pressure and return hoses from the rack and pinion and then remove the three nuts and bolts securing the rack and pinion to the front suspension cradle. Before removing the rack and pinion from the cradle, lower the rack and pinion so the intermediate coupler roll pin is accessible, then remove the roll pin with Special Tool 6831A. You should also remove the coupler from the steering shaft and remove the entire power steering rack and pinion from your car.