Replacing steering rack

[Custom Trendz Inc.]

Hi, im wondering if its possible to leave the outer tie rods on, and just unscrew the inner from the outer tie rod. That way I can install my new rack(all except outer tie rods) without having to do much of anything else. Reason I ask is because I work and have no time or place to work on my car for days at a time. Im just trying to find the easiest way to remove the rack. Also, do i HAVE to remove the exhaust, sway, and jacking plate? Ive read that not everyone takes off the jacking plate, but I dont know if my UEL header prevents me from taking the rack off without taking it off first. Thanks for the help!

[Garrison]

The only thing you really absolutely have to do while removing the steering wrack is to unbolt the two brackets that hold it in place, as well as the lines. I can't comment on the tie-rods for certain, but it seems perfectly sound in my head.

Just make sure you mark the bolt/nut so you have a decent shot at realigning the car properly on reassembly.

[Custom Trendz Inc.]

alright sweet, because a shop wants to charge me 200 to just install it. Would the rack get pulled out the drivers side wheel well? Because i know the part where the u joint connects sticks out quite far.

[Garrison]

I would imagine you would need to lift the front of the car for this job. Perhaps someone else can comment on it, but from the modifications I did to mine, I'm familiar with the idea.

I'll be honest though, I paid my mechanic to do the job.

[Custom Trendz Inc.]

yeah im going to put it on stands, i just dont want to waste time replacing outer tie rods which are fine you know. I got new inners for the used rack i bought because one is more loose then the other, so no point in installing it just to find out it rattles and makes noise. Reason im replacing my rack is because the rack has about 1/4 inch of play inside itself. Luckily the wheels go left and right in parallel otherwise it wouldnt be driving for the past few weeks.

[Custom Trendz Inc.]

So i finally did it, now question do i have to take apart the damn ujoint to get my wheel to be straight? Or can i unbolt the wheel behind the airbag and flip it around?

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[Garrison]

You can rotate the steering column behind the airbag. Not sure about how safe that would be, but it is possible.

[Custom Trendz Inc.]

what i see from some research is that once the wheel is OFF the column, the steering shaft and clockspring are independent. So what im going to do is center the wheel like it was originally, and make sure the arrow on the clock spring aligns. Then take off the wheel and then align my wheels to face straight forward. Then i can just put the wheel back on with the clock spring and wheels properly aligned im HOPING. Someone please tell me if this is impossible to do.

[Custom Trendz Inc.]

i just centered the clock spring and wheel is straight and so are the wheels :)