Hi there thought id share with you all my steering rack replacement incase anyone needs to do theirs.

The aluminium end of the low pressure steering line had become frozen into the rack , id got round this when replacing the pipes as I just left the stub in there and put the new hose onto it.
It'd been like this for a many years but recently its started to weep from the connection, I suspected the O-ring had failed or simply the dissimilar metal corrosion had caused it..
anyway I decided to change the rack as there was no way I was going to try and Dremel it out and I plan on keeping the car for a while,

Pretty straightforward job,
Remove/move out of way HP and LP steering pipes
remove rear exhaust hanger (one that connects onto subframe)
Undo rear support bracket/bar that runs between subframe

undo steering tie rod ends where they attach to knuckle

undo 10mm pinch bolt on the steering column in drivers footwell,

Undo both rear subframe bolts and the front RH subframe bolt completely. Leave the front left bolt fully done up which will preserve the subframe alignment as it cannot twist on itself with this bolt in.(got this tip from a clutch removal guy on you tube)
Remove lower drop link bolts then anti roll bar Will come out with a bit of wrangling

Undo two lower engine mount bolts from underneath(the one that stops forward and back movement of engine)
Finally undo steering rack bolts ,again from underneath..

Rack comes out again with a bit of wrangling,

Installation is reverse of removal!





Subframe bolts are tight but will come out, and my tie rod end bolts at the knuckle needed a ball joint separator to get them off,

Take your time and plenty of penetrating fluid and its ok,

And get the car jacked up and on stands as high as you safely can, its tight under there

New reservoir bottle and fluid, all bled ok its so much better, tighter feeling steering and of course no leak.










Rear subframe with rack removed


Front right subframe bolt removed fully


Rear subframe hanging with rack and anti roll bar removed, you can see you have plenty of clearance









steering shaft bolt in footwell..ignore the yellow lines as it can only go on one way


rear exhaust hanger


Stub pipe stuck in rack

Excellent write up there. Mines knackered but haven’t the will to change it, about to change the car for a later one better spec. I wasn’t aware the subframe needed any alignment, when I took mine off as part of the front end overhaul , I just painted it and put back. A four wheel alignment didn’t flag any issues and tire wear 2 yrs on is pretty even. I think I got lucky then.

I think you might be right…I’ve heard differing opinions on subframe alignment, some say it’s needed and some not. I played safe and kept a bolt in but who knows may not have needed to.