just did the rack in my 97 sc300. when i was putting the new one in i had a friend trun the wheel over an over again (prob like 15 times) while i was searching for the bolt hole because im blind and cant she where it exits. the shaft was completely disengaged from the rack and started to make a small rubbing noise. i told my brother about it in the morning and he freaked out an said it can ruin the steering column?????? really? he said that it would destroy his jeep if he did that but he wasn't sure about my car. i just wana know if im going to be driving down the road one day and i end up in a wall or something..... any one know any thing about this or is he just blowing smoke?

 

The spiral spring must be toast by now.

One of the greatest things this Forum does is educate the DiYers. Search and read through all the posts and then tackle the job. Before replacing the rack, I used the driver seat belt to loop through the steering wheel to prevent it from spinning. You can unbind the coupler (from both ends) and simply slide it up and down to connect the column to the rack.

Salim

 

Thank you Salim! if my spiral spring was toasted i couldn't us my horn, cruse, and my air bag light would come on right? i hope im ok! do u think any think mechanical can go wrong? it could just be me not being used to the new rack but there almost seems like theres a little bit of play in the wheel on the freeway. almost like a u joint

 

partial answer ..
You need one person at the wheel and the second below to see where the play is. Confirm the rack itself does not move.

Salim