Oil Pan Gasket - Removing Steering Rack

[low_&_loud]

Well my oil pan seems to be pissing oil out, as does my steering rack, so I figure I might as well knock them both out in one shot and upgrade to an E36 rack.

Does anyone know if I have the rack out, will I be able to get the pan out relatively easier, or will the motor still need to be jacked up/subframe dropped as well? If the rack is out, is the subframe easy to drop anyway? I know this project is going to be a bitch one way or another but I thought having the rack out might mitigate it a bit.

Anyone who has some insight let me know - thanks!

edit - anything else I should do while this is taken apart? subframe bushings, etc?

[5Toes]

no because the rack bolts to the subframe - doesnt make a difference.

[low_&_loud]

is the subframe really that bad to drop anyway? it seems like if i support the motor its a lot easier to do that than agonizingly jack the motor up and still work around the subframe...

[redlightpete]

is the subframe really that bad to drop anyway? it seems like if i support the motor its a lot easier to do that than agonizingly jack the motor up and still work around the subframe...

The only downside is that you have to hold up the motor from top. Otherwise it's a much more elegant way to do both jobs.

[CabbE30]

Pull the rack, Pull the pan, replace the gasket, replace pan, replace rack, Enjoy.

Yes pulling the rack will make pulling the pan like 10 times easier, you will still need to lift the engine a tad to remove the rack but it'll make pulling the pan way easier.