360 Steering Box removal Question

So after the latest service done at DL (Main Dealer) it was reported that the steering Box was leaking fluid from the bellows and the Box need refurbishing. They reported a few more things but not the subject of this thread so I wont go into that now.
Anyhow, this is the 4th time now this has been spotted. Twice by DL, once by DK Eng and then the MOT man. So it definitely exists.

So following an eye watering quote from DL to complete the work and looking at the service manual, I thought it was something I could do myself. DL kindly gave me the company they use to refurbish their racks and said it would be in the region of £500.

However, It appears the service manual must be written by Haynes(Book of lies, myths and legends[a range of service manuals in UK]) as it is wrong. According to the manual I should be able to drain the PS fluid from the system by undoing the unions at the front and rear of the car (2 & 4) as detailed in the below pics.

BUT, I don't have such a union at either end and instead have a continuous pipe that goes all the way from the pump to rack. The only pipe I can disconnect is the return pipe (1) but not sure if this will be enough to drain the fluid from the rack. Only other option would be to disconnect the union into the rack but that looks like it will make a bit of a mess as fluid will drip down onto other pipe work and chassis below.

Would really appreciate any advice and wisdom from more experienced technicians than myself and someone who may have undertaken this task previously.
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Hi Mike

Well I have successfully removed the rack but it was a real PITA. In real terms it probably took me about 5 hours to get it out with some head scratching in between. The steps in the workshop manual really does make it sound easy but prepare for a lot of frustration. Labour charge from dealer was in the region of £1K

But if I can inspire you to have a go as well then that is good.

I am space restricted also. I only have a single garage with around foot and half space either side of the car. This made access to the drivers compartment awkward but not impossible. However, bending and twisting to get a spanner on the universal joint was a challenge but I did it.

The issue I was facing with draining the PS fluid was resolved after speaking with a Ferrari technician. I had to undo the pipe into the rack as I arrowed in the previous post but the tech just suggested I put cardboard behind and use it to funnel the fluid into a container below. So that's what I did and it worked okay.
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You might be lucky and have the front and back unions as described in the workshop manual. If not then you will have to do as I have and disconnect at the rack and drain there. You wont know which type you have though until you remove the front under pan.

Undoing the bolts that bolt the rack to the chassis is fiddly as you have to hold a spanner on the nut in the luggage area and undo the bolt from the wheel arch area. And you get at 1/4 turn movement. Easier if you have an extra pair of hands but I didn't have that luxury.

I had to use a crowbar to split the spline from the UJ as it would not slide out as described in the manual. And then you have to do a bit of man handling to squeeze it past stuff so you can move it far enough to the right so O/S tie rod has cleared the chassis. It is tight. Then you lift it out from the luggage compartment and coax the N/S out. Then Bingo! Its out.

Getting it back in looks to be another challenge.

 

Thanks.

I certainly would not volunteer to do this on another's car.