Originally posted by Alan Coles:


These racks are a "non-servicable" part from Ford (that means just because the plug worked it's way out, Ford wants you to buy an entire new rack. Does anyone know of an in-car fix. I'd like to avoid the expense of pulling the rack as that involves suspending the motor-tranny combo and dropping the sub-frame.

Regards, Alan Coles



You don't have to do any motor or tranny to remove the rack if your carefull. Look under the car, and you'll see a kind of plate over the top side of the rack. That plate can be removed by going down from the top of the engine at the firewall. If you remove the outer tie rod ends and the plate, then remove the pinch bolt from the steering shaft and the racks lines... you can work it out from the side.
The easier way is to remove the two rear subframe bolts and put a jack under the subframe to allow it to come down a bit to give yourself some more room. Biggest thing to remember is that plate that goes over the top side of the rack...the one that is bolted to the subframe is bolted from the top and the nuts are on the bottom....Those nuts are welded to the subframe so don't try to remove them! Just unbolt with long extensions and a good flex down close from over the engine up tight against the firewall.