Steering Rack Install, Tips or Tricks Options

[DennisV]

Are there any tips or tricks to reinstalling the steering rack?

I rebuilt ours and attempted to get it back in over the weekend. I could never get the shaft from the steering rack to align well enough with the universal joint to insert it. I was in the passenger compartment and had a helper under the car supporting the rack. With the bellows, gasket, etc. on there it took a little bit of effort to hold it up far enough to meet the bottom of the knuckle joint. The joint is still attached to the upper shaft connected to the steering wheel.

Nothing on the rack other than what is shown. The bolt is out of the universal joint. The gas tank is out. The bearing support bracket (in the gas tank area) is removed. All of the suspension is out. So the only thing I'm really contending with in terms of clearance is the brake master cylinder.

Is this just a try, try again scenario, or am I overlooking something? Seems like it should be a 10 minute job.