anybody replaced there rack and pinion themselfs...im about to do it this weekend is there anything special, besides the basic....any help will be appreciated...

 

what should i look for to see if this needs to be replaced in my car?

 

Leaks from the rack, slop in the steering.

 

1. You can take it out the driver's side wheel well if you loosen and take power steering line from hole on the rack on the passengers side wheel well...there will be two but it is the one closet to you on the passenger side...You also have to spin the rack slightly to the left to allow spindle to clear through the gap...The power steering lines will seem like there binding but I put a gentle pressure on them and they slide by...MUCH easier then dropping y-pipe... Motor brace.

2. When you reinstall Make SURE that you get the spindle and rack centered...It is very hard to get the steering wheel collar on the spindle...I didn't get mine centered so when I went for the Alignment, they couldn't align the TOE it was off to far. know I must redo it, PITA...So get that part right the first time...

Good Luck

 

I kept thinking it was my power steering pump and the lines...But it kept draining my power steering reservoir...After careful inspection with my wheel off and my car up on jack stands, I saw it. Torn boot, and power steering fluid oozing out when the wheel was turned..Ugh, I had already bought the power steering pump, which was not needed.
Cool thing was, for $45 I could get the seal kit and new boot $25 from AZ...
It did the trick except when I took it to NTB for the alignment,I didn't get the rack and wheel centered as in above post. Then I go to pick it up and the starter is dead, I had to get it towed home...Thank you GOD for roadside assistance on insurance free tow home.

 

This how to will probably help a lot. Steering Rack R&R People have spent a lot of time making these write-ups so check the "How-tos" in the stickies to make use of them.