Steering rack replacement questions

Is there a way to do this & leave the outer tie rods connected at the ball? Or is this not doable because the wheels have to remain straight? I struggled with the puller & am worried i’ll damage the new tie rods. If they were old crappy ones, it’d be no big deal.
Is there a write up on doing the job? My internet access is iffy in the shop I am using.
& are there typically any bolts that end up giving people guff & need replacing?

 

Google "Timmy the Toolman" and then look for his straight-forward, hour-long video on replacing the steering rack. It's a good one.

 

Thank you.
That’s the one I am watching. I was hoping to find a good write up cuz the service is iffy where I am doing the job.

 

Just disconnect the tie rod at the balljoint. If you don't own a puller, you can rent them for free at many auto parts stores.

 

I thought your front end issues were solved ??

Why is your steering Rack being removed ?

For what it is worth The hardest thing for me most times is removing the steering shaft from the rack because of the climate and how long it has been attached.

Lots of your favorite penetrating spray .

 

Yup. Seems to be fix one thing & it sets off another. I'll do the short story long thing later. Have to get back at it.
What about the steering rack? The two vertical bolts are loosened. The pinch bolt is still in place though, only cuz it looks ok (not rusty) & I had to leave everything overnite & it made me nervous to have that totally freed up. So was it a bolt you had an issue with or actually getting it pulled out?
My concern are the feed tubes/coonectors. They look like they might not give.

 

Just did the rack on my son's 4runner a few weeks ago. I had the same problem. The supply/return lines were BY FAR the biggest pain in the ass for me. Ended up buying a longer flare wrench. Also needed the head of the wrench to swivle a little bit to get a better angle.

GEARWRENCH 15mm x 17mm Ratcheting Flex Head Flare Nut Wrench - 89105

GEARWRENCH Ratcheting Flex Head Flare Nut Wrench, 15mm x 17mm - 89105

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007C6K17M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GPjlEbKCE31CQ

And needed to apply even more leverage, so I slid a scrap section of box tubing over the end to make it longer.

Box tubing like the upper one pictured.

You'll have to loosen everthing else so your rack will slide back, to provide access from the driver side to the fittings.

 

Since the Rack was being replaced it was time for new lines as well they were cut right off

It was getting the steering shaft off the rack then for the most were on 15 years at least