1986 Carrara steering rack removal from car

[Oneredspyder]

Help, I am stuck, or better put, how do I get the steering rack out of the car. I have read through the current rebuilding thread on line. I have removed my original tie rods, removed the 2 steering rack bolts from underneath the car, removed the pinch bolt and one of the 2 Allen bolts. The rack is loose, however I can not get it past the cross member underneath the car. The A/C hose is in the way.
So it looks like I either remove the cross member, which I really do not want to do unless I really have to. Or remove the A/C hose.
In the process of removing the boots, they each had a oil like substance in them which I think is grease that has deteriorated. My rack has no play in it that I can tell, but I feel I should service it. My car has 87,000 miles on it.
Thanks in advance for your help.

[Jack Stands]

As long as you’re that far, why not remove the entire front suspension and replace the torsion bar bushings as well? After all these years, they’re probably due for replacement as long as you’re updating systems.

[proporsche]

one red...in order to remove the steering rack ,you have to remove the aluminium crossbar.
My car has over 750 000 km and still original rack no problem what so ever,so why do you want to service yours?.....87 000 barely broken in..;-)
Ivan

[Oneredspyder]

Thanks for the reply. I was going to repack it with grease since it looks like the old grease deteriorated, turned to liquid, and leaked into the rubber boots. My original plan was to update to turbo tie rods and one thing led to another.
What do you think?
I could tear the entire suspension apart, or off, but I really was not planning on that right now.

[rokemester]

I have removed the lower universal joint bolt and the bracket with the two 6mm Allen bolts. Am I missing something? The rack won’t free up and drop away from the car. I tried to wiggle jiggle but The shaft spline won’t come free of the universal joint. I’m afraid of using too much force. Thanks.

BTW great advice on using caution with the Allen bolts on this forum. PB blaster and torch got things moving without stripping the head. Suspension is off for a total refresh.