94 Camry Steering Rack Removal

[bdc961]

Hi all,

I am new here so I hope this is posted in the correct place, if not please redirect me.

I have read the following write-ups for the referenced title.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=329597

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t108185.html
Excellent work by both. My question is this. When removing the rack will the joint connected to the pinion shaft articulate enough to remove the rack? Both write ups describe the removal of the rack as a, " push pull and twist in every direction" to remove it. The write ups are not very discriptive about how the pinion shaft will slide out of the steering joint. The steering joint has only one bolt to remove from a coupler that, "pinches" the pinion shaft. Am I missing something in both write ups?

Thanks for your help.

[Yuko]

The "steering joint" known better as the "steering intermediate shaft" which connects the steering wheel to the rack is collapsible. There are splines cut into the input shaft or "pinion shaft". After removing the bolt that clamps the joint onto the rack, the intermediate shaft can slide up towards the firewall away from the rack.