Steering rack install... any tricks??
 

I'm putting my steering rack back in this weekend after removing it for inspection, regrease (wasn't bad), and installing turbo tie rods.

Getting the rack out was a bit of a challenge. It was in the coupler pretty tight. So, I'm a little nervous about it going back into the coupler. I'm going to have a second set of hands, but even still I'm concerned. Any tips for getting it back in the coupler smoothly? Am I worried about nothing?

cheers,

I like to drive a screwdriver or chisel into the coupler a little to spread it. Makes hitting the opening a lot easier.

True, any clamp device benefits being opened a bit. I'm sure you cleaned up the splines on the shaft. A little grease is in order to facilitate installation and offer some protection to the raw steel.

I'd loosen the upper u-joint and make sure everything is relaxed all the way from lock to lock. It doesn't matter if the suspension is at full droop when you examine for binding, IIRC. But, you can always CAREFULLY rest the car on the a-arms for a minute to level the tie rods while checking (I don't think this is necessary to achieve full range). Have plenty of back up support elsewhere under the car.

And, of course, you face the issue of toe adjustment and centering of the wheel. While you can dial this in close at home, a shop with 4-wheel alignment facilities is best for that since is has to be done with the car on the suspension.

-Edit- I checked my bump steer and did all my alignment with the torsions bars released. I could raise and lower each side with a couple of jacks. I knew pretty much what the ride height was and the angle of the a-arms to find my settings. Very easy to do if you have a magnetic level with a laser to attach to the rotor and project 50 feet away on a wall or something you can mark on. And, some kind of camber gauge. I made one out of a level.

Thanks guys.

I've actually got the entire suspension off the car for other projects going on, so I'm going to have to take it for an alignment anyway. Hopefully I can get the shaft back in the coupler in the same spot it was. I was careful not to move the rack, but was not succesful when I was removing the old tie rods (didn't realize the rack would move so easily... I barely put inward pressure on one side of the rack).

Turn the rack from lock to lock counting turns, then back it up half way, center your steering wheel then install. Should get you close enough.