[HMeeder]

Perhaps the difference lies in the fact that the rack you took off your car has more wear and is therefore looser. You are turning the rack on your work bench and aren't able to generate the torque to turn the rack easily. Seems to me that it would be a couple of minutes work to put the new rack in without actually hooking the tie rod ends up. Then crank the wheel around and see how it feels. I'm willing to bet it won't feel nearly as stiff as you think it does when you are trying to spin just the pinion by hand. Also the rack may have heavier grease giving more resistance.

Just a couple of thoughts.



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Herb
'72 1.7 Tangerine 'Teen
'74 2.0 Red Rustmobile