Literally on my lunch break getting ready to do exactly this

I honestly wish KZfaq would post more of these instead of pointless videos. I actually had to readjust the steering on my car and this actually helped. Thank you

Good lord I've been needing this...Thank you much

Been doing this for years. Great vid. It's amazing how many people don't do this, should always be one of the first steps in a full alignment. Can be done in car.

As an alignment tech for 16 years, Ive never needed to see this, length of tie rods compared to key way and wheel/ steering shaft works just fine.

It's comforting seeing how many know everything here. There are some people that may like this information. Someone who has never done this before with either a new replacement or maybe using a part from an auto salvage yard.

Just put my new rack and pinion in. This was much needed. Thank you

This guy is a genius, I don't find him on TV no more... Enjoyed watching his show. If somebody can reach back out to me and let me know that'd be great..

I remember figuring this out on my own with a Nissan steering box. I figured it made too much sense to do it this way. Glad to see I was right way back then haha!

I prefer to have my old lady rotate my input shaft thankyou 😁👍

In the actual process of replacing rack& pinion right now as i watch this! So happy i sat down to eat my sandwich! So happy i seen this right now! Thank u and Merry Christmas!

And make sure the steering wheel is centered, I wrecked a clockspring not paying attention to where the wheel was.

I wish I seen this video 2 year’s ago

Thank god KZfaq knew I was doing this in a couple days. I didn’t even think of the fact it had to be centered

This is what I have learned from, 20 years of continuous education in the automotive program. And thousands of dollars, in ASE and I-car classes, that didn't amount to a f*** all in wages. This is the phrase That pays. Not the videos. Not the ASE training. And not the I-car training. This is the one phrase that you need to know to survive, for any extended period of time, and the automotive industry. And I'm going to give it to you, for free... Always, check vehicle manufacturer recommendations first.

Wow what a convoluted way to find center.

I have zero mechanic knowledge, but find this fascinating. You mechanics are wizards, im in compsci but I feel like I want become a tradesman, mechanic being one of the considerations

Experience is everything...Good job sir

Tommy is the man!! I have learned a grip of tips and tricks from this guy since he got to the channel!! Thanks Tommy!! My spoiler on my bmw is modeled after your Buick spoiler!!

I have been doing my own mechanic work for 40 years. I’m 56. I have never had to replace a rack. Now that I’ve seen this video what do you wanna bet…

Thank you for this awesome tip!! Ill be replacing a steering rack and pinion on my buddies focus in a week or so, and this video will let me do it like the pros!! Ill be sure to give mention to getting the tip from you guys!! Thank you!!

Tommy is the master Tech!

This dude is crazy smart when it come to things like this.

Or slip on the steering joint and not have to worry about hurting any threads!

2 turns lock to lock, nice. I like my steering response too, sneeze and twitch the wheel and it's going towards the ditch 😁👍

Thank you for sharing this! My next project this year for my 05 4runner!

Simplest explanation out of all that I've found💯💯💯

These dudes are good at their trade.

About ten minutes before replacing the steering rack and this video pops up :)

Anyone who finds this amazing prob should not be doing a steering rack….

I'm soooo relieved now! tank u!

What a fantastic video. Good work

Tom, you are the man. Thanks

Thank you for making this video!

Learn something new everyday day, thanks

Not likely I'll ever need to do this, but I like to learn anyway, thanks

So.. uh.. when the original rack and pinion comes out.. make a mental mark of how it's positioned, lay new part in front of old and align, double check column, and replace. This doesn't need to be overcomplicated. Maybe I'm just old-school. Laying the parts out as I take them out like with drums..

Insane.. I was just on my way to autozone to pick up the part for my mom's car 🤯. Lol just kidding the car has been sitting outside for almost 6 months now

I needed this video last week

I have no idea what any of this is about or what that shaft is for, but I appreciate his attention to detail.

Thnx, needed this! 💯

Great video! Thanks!

I pull my steering columb without marking anything, you're saving me

Litterally wouldn't waste my time. I measure the rack each side. It's that simple.

Great..make my alignment more easy, sometimes steering rack installer are not known this procedure.

That's how it's done ! I used to love watching Power Nation !

I had my steering rack done last year by some guys that put it off center and it's been bugging the hell out of me since, I'm gonna try this now

You go Tommy !!!!!!!

Seems quite logical. Nice job!

Very nicely explained very nice

Great presentation 🙂 Thanks

I miss this show 😭

Doing this to my sons car tomorrow Thanks👍👍👍

Ah,.. close enough. Tommy.

Ya I learned this the hard way when I installed my first rack. Owed the customer a clock spring.

Very useful didn't know u had to do this

That's very easy I'm a technician for more than 30 yrs

I remember this and Thanks Tommy.

Brilliant trick. Used this on a Fiesta Mk7 not long ago

Whoa...I'm doing a steering rack on my CRV this week!

Well done Tommy

This is like this old house for cars

So this would have beem helpful atleast a handful of times... Worst is when you trailer it and have a professional still screw this up but nailed a very special alignment... Gotta love grass roots motorsports!

Better to know it and not need it than to need it and not know it. Brilliant deduction.

Thanks man!

I’m so mad that this was so easy

Thx man i have been wondering how to do this

You can sometimes rely on physical markings on the rack, or the flat of the input shaft, but it never hurts to double check.

Good information, thanks.

Tommy, such a swell feller

Great video

Very helpful thank you

Not doing this, but a good watch

Keep them coming 🤟

Measurements on inner tie rods from rack help with this as well.

reminds me of the 'find the middle of a 2×4 with only a piece of string and small nail'. (but you'll need a hammer, too...)

He made 2 complete revolutions plus a partial

I want to hear his regular voice

To void damage you can also wrap the splines in 4 layers of cardboard and use vice grips with low pressure.

Great information 😅

I found if the revolutions are say 3, you'll need to turn 1.5 turns which will bring the shaft mark opposite & away from your 2 markers. A direct opposite being halfway on the markers

good tip!

That shaft has a flat which should connect to a corresponding flat on the steering column. Some cars use a master spline instead. Fit the rack, connect the steering wheel and it’s now easy to find the centre point.

Good information!

I just lay the new rack next to the one I took out and sync it to the position the old one is in.

I call dibs on making the tool that makes this easier.

No way. Im saving this video

Cool tip,thanks

Now I know why there's so many old hondas with cockeyed steering wheels

This is something a builder would be interested in, specifically if building a steering column from scratch. From the factory, EVERY steering rack is keyed into the steering column and cannot be "un-centered", and most racks are matched to most steering columns where the steering wheel will be centered when the rack is at center. It's good to put a rack near center so as to not damage the clock coil in the steering wheel, should it have one, but this procedure is kind of dumb to do on a factory car, even if you're replacing the rack. Get close enough and the rag joint will tell you which way to turn the rack. Now show your viewers how to fine-tune the center of the steering wheel without having to put the car back on the alignment rack since so many mechanics can't seem to get the wheel dead center. THAT would be useful to most of your viewers. You do know how to do that, right?

Holy shit i did this my self in the car port of my moms house three years ago and did exactly this by trouble shooting. Nice!

That guy is brilliant

Miss this show. powernation.

Perfect. Thanks!

Good idea I always did it by eye

Just measure the distance between the bellow boots clamps ,

I just use a tape measure and measure the length from the clamp on the bellow holding it to the rack to the end of the inner tie-rod and make each side identical and your done...

personally i prefer recirculating ball or worm and gear manual steering, avoids bump steer too!

Super easy 🔥

This will work but there is a better and easier way..... Before you take the old rack out, put the wheels Straight ahead. Remove the rack measure where both tie rods are and make the same on the new rack. Make the final adjustments on the new rack after its mounted in car right before reinstalling the steering shaft back to the rack.