Lay your new (rebuilt?) steering rack on a level surface with the
attachment points down.  If, with the rubber bushings installed with
equal amounts sticking out, it rocks rather than stays level then it
would be a good idea to get some big washers to shim it so that there
will be no stress and/or that a couple of the bushings don't get pushed
so far that the rack ends up metal to metal at the frame.

I found that an ordinary railroad spike worked great (happened to have
one) for spreading the steering shaft U-Joint coupler (power steering
vans) so that it would slide off the splined shaft on the old rack.

I removed the windshield washer tank so I could get to the disk coupling
at the front of the van.  Removing the bolts from that end of the shaft
first allows easy removal of the U-Joint at the rack.

Once the steering shaft is removed, you can spin the steering wheel
360�.  It spins like a bar stool.  That said, once everything is back
together, the easy way to line up the steering wheel is to remove it and
reposition.  Much easier than trying to adjust at the tie rods.

Mike

Allan Streib wrote:
> The parts are here, and I will soon be tackling the replacement of
> upper ball joints and the steering rack on my '91 Vanagon GL.
>
> I'll study the Bentley, but does anyone have any tips or tricks that
> might not be obvious, considering I've not done this job before.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Allan
>