When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Is the steering rack droping absolutely necessary? This is the 1 thing I'm most concerned with. I'm looking for pics or a diy tutorial on this alone but came up with nothing.
Is the steering rack droping absolutely necessary? This is the 1 thing I'm most concerned with. I'm looking for pics or a diy tutorial on this alone but came up with nothing.
Do you mean the power steering rack or the steering column? The rack doesn't need to come out and the column is literally one bolt to separate it and move it out of your way. The lower part of the column swivels down and you can compress the upper part plenty enough to get the room you need. It's very simple. Also remove the shroud around the base of the column and if your a big buy like me, removing the heat shield, at least on the driver's side, is a good idea. I hesitated on that and it cost me time. It's really not that difficult of a job. Get several extensions of differing sizes and make sure you have at least one thats 12" or longer. You'll need a universal or two as well...I wrapped a little tape around it to stop it from flopping around so much and that helped a lot. Might want to soak the nuts with penetrating oil before hand too.
Do you mean the power steering rack or the steering column? The rack doesn't need to come out and the column is literally one bolt to separate it and move it out of your way. The lower part of the column swivels down and you can compress the upper part plenty enough to get the room you need. It's very simple. Also remove the shroud around the base of the column and if your a big buy like me, removing the heat shield, at least on the driver's side, is a good idea. I hesitated on that and it cost me time. It's really not that difficult of a job. I was over-whelmed at first too but just dive in. Get several extensions of differing sizes and make sure you have at least one thats 12" or longer. You'll need a universal or two as well...I wrapped a little tape around it to stop it from flopping around so much and that helped a lot. Might want to soak the nuts with penetrating oil before hand too.
Thanks for the advice. I was actually going thru some of your recent threads today trying to gather some last minute knowledge on this install procedure. Does seem pretty straight forward but at the same time a PITA. I'll try and snap some pics of the process whether I succed or fail. Counting down the days till that ups pack arrives.
Is the steering rack droping absolutely necessary? This is the 1 thing I'm most concerned with. I'm looking for pics or a diy tutorial on this alone but came up with nothing.
I'm an experienced mechanic, and it took me a little longer than expected to install my ARH headers, i dropped the rack and removed my heat shields as well. I did mine on the ground with jacks and back stands, it is very tight and took a bit of finessing to get them in.
I also got mine coated in swain tech white lightening ceramic coating. I'm just waiting to get retuned at AMR performance this coming Thursday.
I have IPE headers and am very happy with them. Build quality looks great. Fitment is good, no touching anywhere. And they gave me a good power increase.
It has begun! Started yesterday with minor prep work. Today removed cats and midpipes as well as 4 out of 16 nuts. In all honesty the job looked very overwhelming when I started yesterday, and today it looks just as overwhelming. During the whole process I had the song "the scientists" on repeat in my head. This shyt is going to be tough, especially with my limited tools ($15 walmart box & some harbor freight stuff). But as stated before, I am a patient person. Tommorow will head out and buy a couple more tools. My headers were supposed to be delivered today but my wife missed the ups attempt. Will try to get some pics of specific stuff if people request it.
It seems overwhelming at first but once you get a couple of the harder to reach bolts out it'll start to come together. You'd swear there's no way to get to all of them on the driver's side but there is. Come in from the side through the suspension with a long extension and a wobbler to get to some of them. I had my daughter pitch in for a few and it really helped. With me underneath holding the socket on the nut and her wrenching from the top we were able to get a couple I never thought would come out. Keep at it, they'll come.
It seems overwhelming at first but once you get a couple of the harder to reach bolts out it'll start to come together. You'd swear there's no way to get to all of them on the driver's side but there is. Come in from the side through the suspension with a long extension and a wobbler to get to some of them. I had my daughter pitch in for a few and it really helped. With me underneath holding the socket on the nut and her wrenching from the top we were able to get a couple I never thought would come out. Keep at it, they'll come.
Wobbler and ratchet wrench are on my shopping list for tommorow. Problem with rat wren is most sets skip 11mm so a 7/16 will have to do.
Day 3 went a little better got left manifold off. Driver side is definately worse, gotta go back to buy a couple more tools. Do any of you guys know where I could buy replacement copper nuts, besides the dealer?
Day 6 headers are almost fully mounted. I've got almost all nuts tightened. I cant figure out how to get 2 copper nuts on there. The bottom middle front drivers side and bottom middle rear passengers side. Didn't pull down black steel plate or steering rack and I know it cost me a couple hours. To anyone tryin to do this instal, this is undoubtedly the worst task to take on if you dont have a ton of tools and small hands.
It's Done!!!!! Just finished up about 20 mins ago. Without a doubt this project is not for someone with limited patience or tools. If you dont have small hands and long arms, you will suffer plenty. I could have made things easier for myself if I would have removed some coils and dropped the steering rack but I didn't and it cost me several hours. So if you feel comfortable disassembling the car further its definitely worth it. I want to give thanks to everyone who chimed in, believe me every tidbit helped. There were several times where I wanted to quit and tow it to a local shop. But, as some have said, as soon as you fire it up for the first time, all the fatigue and frustrations go away with the roar of that angry lion. I'd take videos and post but that shyt is loud and its late, don't want to **** off the neighbors. Now its time for some some Macallan 18 or some Hennessy XO.
Must be a great feeling of accomplishment Sactown.
Just remember the tortoise won the race.
Congrats.
Ninja Tortoise!
Several injuries, big arms/hands and lack of mechanical experience with compact spaces, the fear of taking apart stuff and not being able to put everything back together definately made this take a whole lot longer. Anyone with decent experiance should be able to tackle this on their own in about 1/3 of the time. So to any of you guys thinking about it, do it. Save the $800-$1000. Take it from me, I didnt even own a Car Jack or extension socket wrenches prior to this job.
In before the “Help, my headers fell off on the highway” thread
Wasn't I on your ignore list? I thought your life was so much better without me? The temptation was too great i guess. Admit it BLK, you miss the back and forth dontcha.
Update. So when I drove the car on sat for the first time the rumble got my attention it sounder awsome but felt some vibration. Checked and headers do rub a bit. Mid pipe was fine but driver side cat rubbed a bit. And the right pipe that connects to resonator rubs on cross beam. All were fixed in about an hour or so. Bent the firewall and some heat shields a bit to clear and added some washers to cross bar. All vibrations are gone and enjoyed car all sunday. Got a lot of heads turning, scared a few people and set off several car alarms at the swap-meet in Roseville. Good times.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
