I had swapped the lower ujoint some time ago and it was a PITA. I now want to change the rack, I have the entire unit so no compatibility issue I believe. My question is, where is it easiest to separate and rejoin the steering column; at the rack, in the middle where the sliding part is, or the top ujoint? It seems like the easiest should be to separate the column in the middle and swap the lower ujoint out of the car and slide the two parts together, but when I did the lower in the car the the old one was hard to get off (read, hammer time) and the new one did not slide up the column easily, it took a lot of prying to get it up into position even when prying it open at the slot. When I pulled the 'new' rack at the boneyard, that one did come apart easily.
I hope thie question makes sense, I think it does to someone who has done it. Well, thanks for any ideas.