Is it necessary to counter hold the rack when unscrewing the track/tie rod?  I've read conflicting views on this Forum so I'm wondering what current thinking is. I don't want to damage the rack. Thank you.

When I removed mine I never supported the steering rack. It didn't take much force to unscrew them so damaging the rack is unlikely.

 

I used one of these tools btw: http://www.amazon.co.uk/BERGEN-Professional-Universal-33-42mm-BER6013/dp/B006B3OKCY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444055047&sr=8-1&keywords=tie+rod+removal+tool

So how does the tool work - you remove the outer track rod end and rubber boot, then slide the tool over the threaded end coming out of the rack and it grips the outer end of the inner joint so you can put an open ended spanner on the locking nut and undo ? Would a mole wrench work in much the same way ?

It grips the outer of the inner joint housing and you just unscrew it. Using anything simpler would be tricky due to access while the rack is in the car.

 

I also can confirm that this joint is not too tight - I was also worried about doing this, but it panned out okay.

 

When I did this job, I bought the other type of tool which has the same sort of gripping action but has a long hollow tube as part of it, on the end of which you either fit a 1/2" sqr drv or an open ended spanner.

Edited 5 October, 201510 yr by rum4mo