I want to remove my steering rack... in the manual, there's all this talk of dropping the sub frame, etc... do you really need to do that? Won't that mess up your alignment?

 

If you are going to remove your steering rack your Toe (if your toe is out, you will wear your tires out big time...) is still going to be out, you should get a alignment afterwards anyways. Make sure to also index your rack so that you get it back in position so that the lock to lock distance is equal on both sides (with a straight steering wheel)

 

Just the nature of removing it is going to destroy your alignment settings, but don't worry about that. I removed mine on my back under jack stands w/out dropping the subframe. I did use a breaker bar to loosen all the subframe bolts so it would give a little when pulling the box out and squeezing the new one in.
After you are done, you can eyeball a good alignment to make it up to the shop to have it electronicaly done. Be prepared to spend some good hours on the project!

Raj

 

Hmm this is sounding to me like I need to rethink this. My -only- goal is to remove the steering pinion. I wonder if I can get just that part out without removing the rack.

 

Hey I just did this a couple of weeks ago to have it rebuilt....no need to drop the subfarme.

IIRC,
-remove 4 main bolts from the bottom (use a breaker or your jack handle on your ratchet),
-remove the two top brackets and bushings,
-drop the tie-rods out of the hubs on each side (*might* have to wack them a couple times),
-remove 2 hoses for the PS cooler,
-remove 1 bolt for the main oil line on the rack,
-loosen/remove 1 bolt to remove the shaft.
-wiggle the rack out...

Btw, make sure you have your steering wheel straight when you remove the main shaft, and make sure you install it back the same way.