which first, exhaust manifold or steering rack removal

[xavier]

I need to replace my steering rack again. Also I think my exhaust manifold is blowing. As the exhaust manifold's position on right drives makes steering rack replacement a bit more difficicult, I thought I would kill two birds with one stone. Take out the exhaust manifold, and before putting it back in with new seals and studs, replace the steering rack. What do you reckon? Also does anyone know of a good how to, with pictures on replacing the exhaust manifold?

[Grrrmachine]

There's not really a manifold removal guide, since it goes

1) Remove HT leads for ease of access
2) Undo 12 nuts
3) Pull off manifold.


But once you've done that, you'll have a lot more room to get to the steering rack, although most of THAT work will be done from underneath the car.

[daimlerman]

Exhaust manifold blowing,assuming this car still has the cast iron manifold,is usually caused by said manifold warping and pulling it's studs out of the cylinder head/snapping it's studs.
The one's that usually do this are the most difficult to access,those for No: 6!

[DanThe]

If you need to replace the rack the E46 rack is pretty much the best one to go back in

[xavier]

Is there much modification to get the E46 in?