Steering Coupler(universal) joint installation, Ford V8
 

Have my subframe in, steering rack bolted down, headers on side of the engine bay, Engine and transmission installed. Figured I'd hook up the steering coupler. I've got a problem, coupler would not mate with rack and steering shaft, not enough space. To make matters worst I damaged the coupler's needle bearings. My Buddy and I were tired and trying to put a steering car with a motor and tranny on the ground in 10 hours. Now, I need some advice on getting a coupler(hard to find new it seems). Am I looking at having to pull the motor and tranny to rectify this situation??

It has been a LONG time since I did mine, but I think that lifting the engine from the mounts, a little, helped to align the coupler. I also seem to recall grinding off some material on the rack body to gain oil pan clearance.

Do not lose the plastic "moon shaped" pieces that go in the lower steering shaft slip-joint. They can fall out if you separate that connection.

Now is the time to come to the aid of the party.