Working on replacing everything under the front of my 03. Got to the point where I was ready to remove the lower control arms and just could not bring myself to go thru the hassle of taking the steering rack loose just to remove the one bolt on the rear control arm. So I pondered on the situation for awhile and as many years ago I worked for TRW in their steering and suspension division I have a good understanding of rack steering and the inner connecting rods.

I ran the steering all the way out on the side I was working on, cut the metal band holding the rubber boot onto the rack, slipped the small metal clip on the other end of the rubber boot off and slid the whole rubber boot down toward the tie rod.

Run the steering all the way back in the other direction and the bolt will now come out with no problem.

Just be sure to cover up the exposed rack while working on the supension and resecure the rubber boot to the rack with a heavy black zip tie. White zip ties deteriate, black ones are made for outside conditions.

Presto. Very easy and no fooling with removing the rack.

 

Brilliant!

 

Put that bolt back in the other direction and never worry about it again (you might have to grind it a little shorter).

 

Actualy the front lower control arm you can reverse but the back one is a one way only due to the wat the bolt is made and the holes on each side are different size., never plan to remove it again anyway.

 

Thanks, good to know for when I do my bushings.