Writing an update to my on-going work to replace my rack & pinion assembly.

First off, for anyone attempting this, be prepared. First of all, despite what the books say, you're going to need to remove the engine crossmember, so you'll need some way to support the engine from above. While you're down there, check your motor mounts...this would be a grate time to replace / repair them. I found that the rear mount for the engine is gone when I pulled my cross member...it was able to move freely, and when i bumped it, chunks of the rubber fell out...so I guess I'll have to do the budget upgrade - homemade poly mounts. I'll give a write up on how to do them, and let ya know how they hold up.

Another thing to keep in mind. When pulling the rack from the car, it will make everything tons easier if you remove at least one of the inner tie rod ends. Also, if needed, cut all rubber hoses on the old rack, as this will free up a lot of extra hard tubing that just gets in the way.

As I have not yet pulled my inner tie rod end, my rack is still currently in the car...After wasting two weekends worth of work trying to remove it, I can say that, if you're engine is in the car, this is the only way to remove this unit...

I'll write back to let you guys know how easy the new assembly goes in. The replacement is a newer unit, appears to be from a 3rd gen, but is physically compatible. It is a much simpler design, with the only external soft line is the pressure tube that bleeds pressure from one bellow to the other, as you steer. If you have access to the Chilton manual, look at the differences shown in the book...it is massively simpler.