Rack and pinion removal

You are correct, it is a rubber boot for shaft to go through. I have gotten the driver side of the rack dropped as far as it will go for now. I have yet to get the bracket for the exhaust off. But think that will allow the rack to drop straight down for the shaft to clear.

Update: Thank you for all of your help and tips it is greatly appreciated and I couldn't have gotten it removed if it weren't for you. I found the perfect ratchet and socket combination and supported the rack as I removed the bracket and sure enough once the bracket was removed the rack lowered beautifully. Tomorrow I plan to disconnect rubber hanger holding exhaust towards middle of car so that I can drop the exhaust down more. I also want to remove the sway bar to tuck lines back more when installing the new rack, as I plan to change sway bar links anyways. Any tips for installing rack? I plan to use jack on gearbox side to support after sliding rack to right and loosely installing right side bracket, then the two screws that support rack on driver side, followed by connection of shaft to wheel and then I plan to do the lines. Does that sound like best plan of attack?

Waiting to install new rack, weather should be better tomorrow. Planning to do the upper control arms before I install new rack and will remove the sway bar since it will help with lines and I have to replace end links anyways. Will provide updates. Thank you :)

Oh man, that is crazy. Luckily the weather was nice and dry today and I was able to get the new rack in place, hooked up to the steering wheel and got the brackets on (also replaced stabilizer links); planning to install lines tomorrow and outer tie rods. I noticed that one of the lines had some resistance to it, I believe it is an oil cooler line and I may need to bend it a bit with a screw driver very carefully because currently it will go to where it needs to in the rack but I have to angle it weird and feel some resistance when I want to start threading it in which I don’t like. Thank you, I wish you and your family a safe, joyous, and healthy Easter. :)

Everything was going smooth and I was ready to finish installing lines. I installed them smooth but was tightening them to get them all the way seated in. I must have tightened the 17 mm line too much and a piece of the gearbox broke off, luckily I got the broken piece off and that line was fine but then I realized this rack was going to need to come out and I was going to have to install a new one. Again. There was one bolt that was semi stripped so I knew it was gonna be tough to get out but I tried and in the process bent the other line. Both of the 12mm lines will need to be replaced I believe. Lines B and D. Is there a diagram and where can I find new lines? Can I cut them and put new fitting and use those with new rack? I don’t know what to do.

Broken piece.

Yes, the one that goes to power steering speed sensor and the one that goes to oil cooler I believe, but I don’t know how I would get them out and where I can purchase them?

Planning to cut off the damaged parts of the 2 lines tomorrow and get rack removed then I am thinking of either using a compression union to join the line to another section of line same diameter and same end connector for when I install the new rack. Option 2 would be if I have enough length on the pipe, I could get a flare kit to flare the end and put new adapter on it which would allow me to thread into new rack and pinion. What do you think of these options? Would they work? Since these lines go to the cooler and power steering speed sensor, would the unions be able to handle the pressure?

Sounds good, I will try to work With the pipe. Do you know where I can find the end connectors that go into the rack And what is the diameter of the connector and that goes into the rack?

Thank you, so far I removed the exhaust and bracket and disconnected the other 2 lines that are good. Started to cut bent line but cutter broke so I need to return it and get another one. I think I should have enough meat on the lines to make these work after flaring; need to talk to seller to see if I can get a replacement rack.

Looks like once I get the fitting on the lines I can get them to reach the rack but would I need to bend the area where it curves a bit to get it straighter for the fitting or?