Steering rack removal

[mark1gls]

Can you remove the steering rack without taking off to much stuff eg. engine, gearbox and can I leave the exhaust down pipe on?

I also want to change my UJ boot (old one in bits) as I think 12 years of dirt and water have finally killed my steering rack, there is some play on the passengers side shaft, it moves up and down and knocks also if you move the steering wheel when stopped there is a knocking noise. I did think it was the track rod but there is no play at the ball joint.

Just one last thing it is on my Mk1 Golf but there looks about the same amount of room on the Mk1 and Mk2 Scirocco in my garage.

[Winston]

I have on a small block mk1 Golf.. not sure about the downpipe getting in the way on a big block

[mark1gls]

I do have the tool to remove the C clips on the down pipe, but know its a right pain to split the exhaust further down while the car is on axle stands and I'm lying on my back, I was trying to save a bit of time and not remove it, anyone else changed a steering rack on there drive?

[Tim_R]

I don't remember having to touch the exhaust when i did that job, the gear linkage had to come off and of course separate the ball joints and undo the bottom UJ bolt from the column to the rack. The hardest part was separating the UJ from the rack and sliding the rack out the holes in the chassis legs. ditto for getting it back in again and reconnecting the UJ. I certainly remember it as a job I don't want to do again!

Good luck