So the replacement shaft finally came in...! I spent today finishing up putting everything together.
Replacement shaft:
Cleaned bracket:
Aligning the steering rack by removing the red plastic drain plug and shift the wheels until the small dimple can be seen in the drain hole.
Shaft installed; I found mounting the upper end first, then the entire steering column can be rotated to align the bolt depression on the rack.
I also replaced the reservoir to steering pump hose since I kept having weeping issues. There must have been a TSB as the hose has been redesigned, eliminating the need to secure it on the water pump.
Everything buttoned up and ready for the road. I took her out for a nice 30 mile drive around town this afternoon.
