How do you replace the rack and pinion on a PT Cruiser?

Answer 1

First jack up the front of the car and suspend it with jackstands from behind the front wheels, you'll need to drop the crossmember under the steering in order to get this done. Unfortunately that crossmember is also attached to your suspension. Before dropping the crossmember too low, you must disconnect the steering shaft from the steering assembly (it's a resistance pin, I just used an air hammer to knock it out). Lower the crossmember, replace the steering components by removing the 4 bolts holding it to the crossmember and the 2 fluid lines, and the ball joints at the axles. Finally, put it all back together and raise the crossmember back in place. Oh, and then go get an alignment at your normal dealership. Refill with ATF+4 fluid when you're done. By the way, the 2007 PT Cruiser with 38,000 miles that I just replaced this on cost $263 for the remanufactured parts from the local Chrysler dealer, I did the work myself to save the $550 labor charge. New parts were quoted to me for $485. So if you want new parts and them do the labor, around $1000. And hopefully you're not like me with 2k miles over the full warranty and having them laugh when you ask if it's covered under the 7/70 portion of the warranty. It's not hard to do, took me about 4 hours total and I'm an amateur mechanic working out of my house garage. Total replacement cost including the alignment (less my labor) was about $325.