How to remove the steering rack from a 355

Great stuff Paul........and to the time you took to do the job you can add the time keeping us posted.
I hope never to need to refer to this removal/replacement procedure but you can be sure that I have it tucked away just in case.
Congratulations on a good job very well done and thanks again for taking the time and trouble to post it all. You're all set for 2014!
Ron

 

For a professional mechanic to consider not DIY next time, it is one hell of a job, isn't Paul? This is probably one job i would only do on my own car, and not someone else's even if I was paid. It is that tough.

 

Fantastic work Paul and fantastic write up. Thank you for taking the time to detail this all - I'm sure someone will benefit from it.

 

I know, thread from the dead, but jeez!!! I was wondering HTF you could get it out... and I was right. It's a freakin' nightmare!!! There is NOTHING fun about that job.

 

Bumping the thread to add a tip. When puting the rack back, make sure to put antiseize grease on the sway bar splines.
I’m in the process of rebuilding the rack and it’s taken hours just to dissasemble the sway bar arms: 2 jaw puller, torch to heat the arm and opening the groove with a lever is what it’s taken. There was a small amount of surface rust in the splines, enough to have made my life miserable this evening.

By the way, even though it’s been said a few times, there’s no words to express how much of a pain in the ass this job is, no words.

 

Had my rack rebuilt last year. The shop that did it mis-installed a seal and it was leaking upon reinstall. I had to pull it, fix the rack and re-install. The anger and rage I felt at the time was unmeasurable.

 

Wow! What a PITA of a job, but well done to anyone who has done it.

Reading this made me ponder a question:
Could you remove the standard rack and install a Challenge rack in its place?

Just curious really as quickening up the steering is about the only thing I'd like to change from standard.

 

Yes.

 

Reread this thread. Great job to Paul and Mitchell for all the info they posted.