Rack & Pinion Install

[clay124]

I had planned on installing my rebuilt Rack & Pinion today and realized that my markings I made to align the pinion to the intermediate shaft and the intermediate shaft to the steering column have worn off. Now I have no way of aligning everything back to where it was. I can't find any material regarding this issue. The only solution I can think of is to connect everything, then try aligning it by trial and error. Suggestions?

[Festy46]

Turn the pinion shaft shaft as far as it will go to one side. Then turn it all the way back to the other side while you count the turns. Divide that number by 2 and turn the shaft that far back. That should center the pinion shaft on the rack. Then turn the steering wheel so that it is set for straight ahead and install everything. You may be off a little with the steering wheel position for straight ahead, but you can remove and replace the steering wheel to get it perfect or tweak the tie rod ends to change it a little.

[Larry Hampton]

When I aligned the steering wheel, I used rubber tie downs to hold the steering wheel straight. I used Festy46's method to get the rack centered.

[clay124]

Sounds like a good plan. Thanks for the reply.