I am going to replace the power steering gear (rack and pinion) on a 96 Monte Carlo Z34.

My manual says, "An engine support fixture is required to hold the weight of the powertrain. Install tools J 28467-A, J 28467-90 and J 36462, or equivalent engine support fixtures."

Instead can I just use a bottle jack to hold the weight of the engine that would still be connected to the frame (in other words lower the sub-frame and engine together with the bottle jack)? Or must the engine be suspended by the engine support fixtures while the sub-frame is being separated from the engine?

I was hoping to loosen the front sub-frame bolts and remove the two rear sub-frame bolts and tilt the sub-frame 3 inches down from rear for access to the rack and pinion. Has anyone accomplished the job with the above method?

When my manual says lower the sub-frame I assume it means lower the sub-frame as a whole and not just one side and with the engine suspended using the engine support fixtures. Is that correct? I also have an engine hoist if it is required to support the engine from above. Thanks for your answers.

 

Ur way will work fine. I did it that way when i put the 01 regal rack in my 97 monte ls make sure u dont drop it far enough to bind up

 

How did you know you needed a rack and pinion