Steering rack removal - help!

[robin]

I would leave the wheel centering to last - so first of all get the toe angle straight and lock balanced - i.e. so you have same number of turns left and right. You can put a bit of tape on the wheel at 12 o'clock position to indicate straight ahead for the purposes of balancing the rack. Only once you're happy with toe angle should you then pull steering wheel off and refit in correct orientation. When I was a mechanic (30 years ago!) we used to do that whilst driving, which was always good for scaring cars coming the other way

Cheers,
Robin

P.S. You probably won't get it perfect this way - the wheel will be offset one way or the other a little - that final straightening can either be ignored or done by re-doing the toe angle on a proper geo machine whilst the wheel is held straight ahead.

[campbell]

When I was a mechanic (30 years ago!)

OMG, really that long now?!

we used to do that whilst driving, which was always good for scaring cars coming the other way

Shame on you!!

[robin]

Yes, pretty much - I am 47 now (I think?) and was 18 when I started ...

Cheers,
Robin

[campbell]