Need help with steering gear replacement

Hi,
I need to replace the steering gear (rack) on my 2002 Liberty. The Jeep manual says I need to remove the front axle to accomplish this. Does anybody have experience replacing a rack, and if so, is there an easier way than dropping the front axle? I'm wondering if I can remove the tie rod ends and somehow shimmy the rack out without disassembling the whole front end of the jeep!!!!
Thanks for any help.

Jeff

Sorry, ive never done that.

Why are you replacing it? What was wrong with it? How many miles do yo have on your libby? O

That does not sound like any fun. Looking at it, I do not think there would be enough clearance if you do not drop the axle.

I would say it would go quicker and earier if you do.

Replacing steering rack

I have 106,000 on the Libby. The steering gear is worn. When you turn the steering wheel, there is a lot of slop, just like you had worn tie rods or ball joints. However, the slop is all in the input of the rack. The input shaft turns, but the tie rods don't move. Right now it is not too bad, but it is getting worse. A mechanic told me it could get bad enough that I could lose my steeering.

The shop wants about $450 to change the rack. Sounds like a lot of money. I have a new rack that came off a jeep that was converted to right hand drive (post office modification). I'm hoping somebody has done this before, and can tell me an easier way than "drop the axle"!!!!

Jeff

Please let us know how the swap went with oics if you do it yourself. Thanks KjHawaii