Civic Steering Rack Swap

Swapping the Integra's steering rack into your civic

If you want to swap the steering rack from your 4th gen civic, I believe the 2nd gen Integra rack will fit.  Also, the 1st gen Integra rack will fit in the 3rd gen civic.

This operation is a bit involved, but with some patience, you will reap some fantastic benefits.  The platform that benefits the most, is the hatchback.  The shorter wheel base of the 5th gen hatch allows for quicker turn-in.

For an even faster steering ratio, the Integra Type R has the fasted rack!

Tools Necessary:

• socket set
• box wrenches
• jack and stands
• Ball joint popper
• scrap 2x4's

Parts Necessary:

• Steering Rack
• every hose and line
• reservoir and mounting bracket (if you did not have power steering)
• power steering pump and correct mounting hardware
• Integra weather seal
• Integra steering universal joint

I've found that the easiest way to swap out the rack, is to drop the front sub frame.  This sounds like a big project, but it really isn't.  This is the ONLY way you can swap the rack if you have a civic equipped with ABS.  As you can see in the pic below, the pump doesn't allow enough room to maneuver the rack if you don't remove the sub frame.

I did the rack swap when I was doing my engine swap, but it is possible to do the work with the engine in the car.

Start by disassembling the coupler between the steering rack and the steering column.  You will need to remove the black cover around the column.  Once you remove the column, you will need to remove the two small bolts that clamp down the coupler.  Slide the coupler out and go on to raising the vehicle.

Next, raise and secure the vehicle.  You will need to support the front of the vehicle by using the jack points.

After you remove the front wheels, you will need to use some form of ball joint popping tool to remove the tie rod ends and the lower ball joint.

Drop the exhaust and shift linkage as well as remove the header or exhaust manifold.  You will need the clearance to remove the sub frame.

Using a jack and some scrap wood, support the sub frame while you remove all of the bolts.  There are 6 huge bolts per side that need to be removed.

Once you have removed all of the bolts, the rack is free to come out of the car.  If you already have power steering, you will need to remove the lines.

Once you have the sub frame out of the vehicle, you can swap the rack.  If you are swapping to power steering from a non-power steering rack, you will notice that the sub frame doesn't have the correct holes for the new bracket on the passenger side.  If you enlarge the holes on your original bracket, you can get it to work.  The other side is a bolt on affair.  If you are going from a power steering rack to power steering, it is farm more straight forward.

Note:  If you are converting to power steering you will need all of the lines that are equipped with the new rack.  The civic lines are different than the Integra lines.  You can use the Integra lines on a civic PS pump if you have not swapped the engine.

This is also a great opportunity to install poly urethane bushing in place of the stock rubber bushings.

Do the best that you can to center the steering rack before you slide everything back into place.

Slide the sub frame back onto the jack and scrap wood.  Use the jack to raise the sub frame back into place.

Once the sub frame is bolted, you can run the new power steering lines to the new reservoir.  Reattach the ball joints and tie rod ends.  Finally attach the coupler to the steering rack and steering column. 

Take the car out for an alignment and reap the benefits of the faster ratio rack!

Alternative:

You can try to swap out the rack without dropping the sub frame.  It is much more difficult on standard civics and impossible with ABS equipped civics.   You will need to undo all of the lines and bolts from under the car.  You will still need to drop the exhaust and shift linkage.  Once everything is free, you need to maneuver the rack out of the car.