HELP NEEDED! Steering rack removal.

[MadMaxHSV]

Hi all,
I'm halfway through the process of fitting new exhaust headers.
The drivers side is being a right PITA to put it lightly.
I've dropped the steering rack slightly but this doesn't seem to be enough to get the new header in. To drop it further on that side it looks like i'm going to have to disconnect the hydraulic lines.
Anyone know what the consequences of doing this are? Previous cars have been self-bleeding and all you've had to do is hook it back up, top-up the fluid and off you go. Is it that easy on these or is there a risk of cocking up the rack if not the pump?

Any advice would be much appreciated

Cheers

[bertelli_1]

You don't need to drop the rack. Disconnect the steering column coupling & move the column out of the way (don't lose the orientation!), remove the metal plate on the chassis leg (4 13mm nuts). Gently bend the clutch pipe out of the way. Now from under the car feed the 3 pipes up then fit the single pipe from above. Attatch the 2 sections & loosely bolt to the head. Refit the metal plate, steering coupling etc before final tightening.
Or send the job to monkfish & let them get grazed knuckles!

[MadMaxHSV]

Alas not the headers I have.
They don't come in separate pieces.

[stigmundfreud]

what headers ahve you sourced? Just to state the blindingly obvious USA headers will not fit a rhd car. I have capas installed and the clearance on the right hand set is tight and not as much as on the left due to the steering pump but I cannot recall the need to drop or remove any of the steering rack to get it fitted.

[MadMaxHSV]

They are DiFilippo longtube headers. With these one tube has to loop over the steering column, so that had to come off at some point. It just doesn't want to go on with the rack where it is.

[MadMaxHSV]

Found this which looks right. Gonna try this morning

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/tech/0607htp_2004_pontiac_gto_header_installation/catalytic_converter.html 

[ringram]

Looks very pleasant.

[stigmundfreud]

ringram said:

Looks very pleasant.

they seem to have less clearnce than the capas?!? The cats also get replaced even further back too

[tim the pool man]

MadMaxHSV said:

Found this which looks right. Gonna try this morning

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/tech/0607htp_2004_pontiac_gto_header_installation/catalytic_converter.html 

I can't make that link here, but the fact it says "pontiac gto" is a concern...

[stigmundfreud]

tim the pool man said:

MadMaxHSV said:

Found this which looks right. Gonna try this morning

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/tech/0607htp_2004_pontiac_gto_header_installation/catalytic_converter.html 

I can't make that link here, but the fact it says "pontiac gto" is a concern...

?? It is the exact same fitting issues just in reverse, steering pump on the left for them and thats about it

[tim the pool man]

stigmundfreud said:

tim the pool man said:

MadMaxHSV said:

Found this which looks right. Gonna try this morning

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/tech/0607htp_2004_pontiac_gto_header_installation/catalytic_converter.html 

I can't make that link here, but the fact it says "pontiac gto" is a concern...

?? It is the exact same fitting issues just in reverse, steering pump on the left for them and thats about it

Yeah I know, I assumed he had bought GTO headers though.

[stigmundfreud]

tim the pool man said:

stigmundfreud said:

tim the pool man said:

MadMaxHSV said:

Found this which looks right. Gonna try this morning

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/tech/0607htp_2004_pontiac_gto_header_installation/catalytic_converter.html 

I can't make that link here, but the fact it says "pontiac gto" is a concern...

?? It is the exact same fitting issues just in reverse, steering pump on the left for them and thats about it

Yeah I know, I assumed he had bought GTO headers though.

that was my first concern too as I genuinely do not recall any issues getting the pump out of the way, however, I do know with LT's there is very little clearnces and it can take a bit of leverage on the LT's to get them to sit right.

[MadMaxHSV]

Right, got the buggers on!

No I had got the right headers

As with the fitment described in the link I had to drop the steering rack completely. Hydraulic lines etc and separate the steering column to get the drivers side header on. Took a bit of fidling but i'm there.
Cheers for the discussion.
Thankfully the delay has coincided with the delivery of a short shifter so will fit while completing the cat-back section this weekend

Looking forward to some nice noises...