I have tried to drop down the subframe on a 2000 pontiac sunfire in order to remove the rack and pinion. I have 4 of the bolts out and the two front ones loose. But the subframe only drops about 1/4". I need to get the rack out so I can replace it. What am I not doing right

Here you are - power rack & pinion.

Except 2.2L and 1993-96 3.1L Engines
See Figure 1

1. Raise the intermediate shaft seal and remove intermediate shaft-to-stub shaft pinch bolt.
2. Remove the air cleaner and disconnect the pressure hoses from the steering gear.
3. Raise and support the vehicle on jackstands, then remove both front wheel and tire assemblies.
4. Remove the cotter pins and nuts from both tie rod ends. Using tool J-6627 or BT-7101, press the tie rod ends from the steering knuckle.
5. If equipped with an Air Management pipe, remove the bracket bolt from the crossmember.
6. Remove the 2 rear cradle mounting bolts and lower the rear of the cradle about 4-5 in. (102-127mm).

WARNING
If the rear of the cradle is lowered too far, the engine components nearest the cowl may be damaged.

1. If equipped, remove the rack and pinion heat shield.

Fig. Fig. 1: Power rack and pinion assembly

1. Remove the rack and pinion mounting bolts, then the gear assembly through the left wheel opening.

To install:

1. Install the gear assembly through the left wheel opening and install the mounting bolts.
2. Install the heat shield.
3. Raise the rear of the cradle and install the mounting bolts.
4. Install the bracket bolt to the crossmember under the air management pipe.
5. Install the tie rod ends to the steering knuckles, install the retaining nuts and insert new cotter pins.
6. Install the front wheels and lower the vehicle.
7. Install the high pressure hoses to the steering gear and install the air cleaner.
8. Install the intermediate shaft seal and the intermediate shaft-to-stub shaft pinch bolt.

2.2L Engine

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Install an engine support fixture J-28467-A, or the equivalent.
3. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
4. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
5. Remove the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt.
6. Disconnect the intermediate shaft from stub shaft.

CAUTION
Failure to disconnect the intermediate shaft from the rack and pinion stub shaft can result in damage to the steering gear and/or intermediate shaft. This damage can cause loss of steering control which could result in personal injury.

1. Remove the exhaust pipe hanger bracket near rear of frame including the brake line retainer and rubber exhaust pipe hangers.
2. Remove the engine and transaxle mount nuts at the subframe.
3. Support the rear of the subframe with jack stands.
4. Remove the rear subframe bolts and discard.
5. Lower the subframe for access to rack and pinion.

Do not lower the rear of the cradle too far, as damage to engine components nearest the cowl may result.

1. Remove the cotter pins and castle nuts from the outer tie rod ends and separate the tie rod ends from the steering knuckles using a suitable puller.
2. Disconnect the power steering lines from the steering gear.
3. Remove the rack and pinion mounting bolts and nuts.
4. Remove the rack and pinion through left wheel opening.

To Install:

1. Install the rack and pinion through left wheel opening.
2. Install the rack and pinion mounting bolts and nuts and tighten to 66 ft. lbs. (90 Nm).
3. Connect the power steering lines to the rack using new O-rings and tighten the fittings to 13 ft. lbs. (17 Nm) on the return line and 21 ft. lbs. (28 Nm) on the pressure line.
4. Install the power steering line clip to steering gear.
5. Connect the tie rod ends to the steering knuckles. Tighten the castle nuts to 31 ft. lbs. (42 Nm). Install new cotter pins.
6. Raise the subframe into position and install new frame mounting bolts. Tighten the bolts to 103 ft. lbs. (140 Nm).
7. Remove the jack.
8. Install the engine mount and transaxle mount nuts and tighten to 39 ft. lbs. (53 Nm).
9. Install the exhaust pipe hanger bracket near the rear of frame including brake line retainer and rubber exhaust pipe hanger.
10. Connect the intermediate shaft to the stub shaft and tighten the pinch bolt to 29 ft. lbs. (40 Nm).
11. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
12. Lower the vehicle.
13. Remove the support fixture.
14. Connect the negative battery cable.
15. Refill the power steering reservoir and bleed the system.
16. Check the front end alignment and adjust as necessary.

3.1L Engine (VIN M)

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove engine torque strut from engine.
3. Install an engine support fixture J-28467-A, or the equivalent.
4. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
5. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
6. Remove the cotter pins and castle nuts from the outer tie rod ends and separate the tie rod ends from the steering knuckles using a suitable puller.
7. Remove the center engine and rear transaxle mounts from the frame.
8. Remove the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt.
9. Disconnect the intermediate shaft from stub shaft.

CAUTION
Failure to disconnect the intermediate shaft from the rack and pinion stub shaft can result in damage to the steering gear and/or intermediate shaft. This damage can cause loss of steering control which could result in personal injury.

1. Remove the brace bolts and brace, including brake line brace.
2. Support the rear of the subframe with jack stands.
3. Remove the rear subframe bolts and discard.
4. Lower the subframe for access to rack and pinion.
5. Remove the steering gear heat shield.
6. Remove the clip holding lines at rack assembly.
7. Disconnect the power steering lines and O-rings.
8. Remove the rack and pinion mounting bolts and nuts.
9. Remove the rack and pinion unit through the left wheel well.

To Install:

1. Install the rack and pinion through left wheel opening.
2. Install the rack and pinion mounting bolts and nuts and tighten the mounting bolts to 66 ft. lbs. (90 Nm).
3. Connect the power steering lines to the rack using new O-rings and tighten the fittings to 13 ft. lbs. (17 Nm) on the return line and 21 ft. lbs. (28 Nm). on the pressure line.
4. Install the power steering line clip to steering gear.
5. Install the steering gear heat shield.
6. Raise the subframe into position and install new frame mounting bolts. Tighten the bolts to 103 ft. lbs. (140 Nm).
7. Remove the jack.
8. Install the engine mount and transaxle mount nuts and tighten to 39 ft. lbs. (53 Nm).
9. Install the brace and bolts including brake line brace.
10. Connect the intermediate shaft to the stub shaft and tighten the pinch bolt to 29 ft. lbs. (40 Nm).
11. Connect the tie rod ends to the steering knuckles. Tighten the castle nuts to 31 ft. lbs. (42 Nm). Install new cotter pins.
12. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
13. Lower the vehicle.
14. Remove the support fixture.
15. Connect the negative battery cable.
16. Refill the power steering reservoir and bleed the system.
17. Check the front end alignment and adjust as necessary.

You aren't saying what engine is in it, or whether it is manual or power steering. Here is the R/R procedure for power steering rack for all engine sizes.

Except 2.2L and 1993-96 3.1L Engines
See Figure 1

1. Raise the intermediate shaft seal and remove intermediate shaft-to-stub shaft pinch bolt.
2. Remove the air cleaner and disconnect the pressure hoses from the steering gear.
3. Raise and support the vehicle on jackstands, then remove both front wheel and tire assemblies.
4. Remove the cotter pins and nuts from both tie rod ends. Using tool J-6627 or BT-7101, press the tie rod ends from the steering knuckle.
5. If equipped with an Air Management pipe, remove the bracket bolt from the crossmember.
6. Remove the 2 rear cradle mounting bolts and lower the rear of the cradle about 4-5 in. (102-127mm).

WARNING
If the rear of the cradle is lowered too far, the engine components nearest the cowl may be damaged.

1. If equipped, remove the rack and pinion heat shield.

Fig. Fig. 1: Power rack and pinion assembly

1. Remove the rack and pinion mounting bolts, then the gear assembly through the left wheel opening.

To install:

1. Install the gear assembly through the left wheel opening and install the mounting bolts.
2. Install the heat shield.
3. Raise the rear of the cradle and install the mounting bolts.
4. Install the bracket bolt to the crossmember under the air management pipe.
5. Install the tie rod ends to the steering knuckles, install the retaining nuts and insert new cotter pins.
6. Install the front wheels and lower the vehicle.
7. Install the high pressure hoses to the steering gear and install the air cleaner.
8. Install the intermediate shaft seal and the intermediate shaft-to-stub shaft pinch bolt.

2.2L Engine

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Install an engine support fixture J-28467-A, or the equivalent.
3. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
4. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
5. Remove the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt.
6. Disconnect the intermediate shaft from stub shaft.

CAUTION
Failure to disconnect the intermediate shaft from the rack and pinion stub shaft can result in damage to the steering gear and/or intermediate shaft. This damage can cause loss of steering control which could result in personal injury.

1. Remove the exhaust pipe hanger bracket near rear of frame including the brake line retainer and rubber exhaust pipe hangers.
2. Remove the engine and transaxle mount nuts at the subframe.
3. Support the rear of the subframe with jack stands.
4. Remove the rear subframe bolts and discard.
5. Lower the subframe for access to rack and pinion.

Do not lower the rear of the cradle too far, as damage to engine components nearest the cowl may result.

1. Remove the cotter pins and castle nuts from the outer tie rod ends and separate the tie rod ends from the steering knuckles using a suitable puller.
2. Disconnect the power steering lines from the steering gear.
3. Remove the rack and pinion mounting bolts and nuts.
4. Remove the rack and pinion through left wheel opening.

To Install:

1. Install the rack and pinion through left wheel opening.
2. Install the rack and pinion mounting bolts and nuts and tighten to 66 ft. lbs. (90 Nm).
3. Connect the power steering lines to the rack using new O-rings and tighten the fittings to 13 ft. lbs. (17 Nm) on the return line and 21 ft. lbs. (28 Nm) on the pressure line.
4. Install the power steering line clip to steering gear.
5. Connect the tie rod ends to the steering knuckles. Tighten the castle nuts to 31 ft. lbs. (42 Nm). Install new cotter pins.
6. Raise the subframe into position and install new frame mounting bolts. Tighten the bolts to 103 ft. lbs. (140 Nm).
7. Remove the jack.
8. Install the engine mount and transaxle mount nuts and tighten to 39 ft. lbs. (53 Nm).
9. Install the exhaust pipe hanger bracket near the rear of frame including brake line retainer and rubber exhaust pipe hanger.
10. Connect the intermediate shaft to the stub shaft and tighten the pinch bolt to 29 ft. lbs. (40 Nm).
11. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
12. Lower the vehicle.
13. Remove the support fixture.
14. Connect the negative battery cable.
15. Refill the power steering reservoir and bleed the system.
16. Check the front end alignment and adjust as necessary.

3.1L Engine (VIN M)

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove engine torque strut from engine.
3. Install an engine support fixture J-28467-A, or the equivalent.
4. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
5. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
6. Remove the cotter pins and castle nuts from the outer tie rod ends and separate the tie rod ends from the steering knuckles using a suitable puller.
7. Remove the center engine and rear transaxle mounts from the frame.
8. Remove the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt.
9. Disconnect the intermediate shaft from stub shaft.

CAUTION
Failure to disconnect the intermediate shaft from the rack and pinion stub shaft can result in damage to the steering gear and/or intermediate shaft. This damage can cause loss of steering control which could result in personal injury.

1. Remove the brace bolts and brace, including brake line brace.
2. Support the rear of the subframe with jack stands.
3. Remove the rear subframe bolts and discard.
4. Lower the subframe for access to rack and pinion.
5. Remove the steering gear heat shield.
6. Remove the clip holding lines at rack assembly.
7. Disconnect the power steering lines and O-rings.
8. Remove the rack and pinion mounting bolts and nuts.
9. Remove the rack and pinion unit through the left wheel well.

To Install:

1. Install the rack and pinion through left wheel opening.
2. Install the rack and pinion mounting bolts and nuts and tighten the mounting bolts to 66 ft. lbs. (90 Nm).
3. Connect the power steering lines to the rack using new O-rings and tighten the fittings to 13 ft. lbs. (17 Nm) on the return line and 21 ft. lbs. (28 Nm). on the pressure line.
4. Install the power steering line clip to steering gear.
5. Install the steering gear heat shield.
6. Raise the subframe into position and install new frame mounting bolts. Tighten the bolts to 103 ft. lbs. (140 Nm).
7. Remove the jack.
8. Install the engine mount and transaxle mount nuts and tighten to 39 ft. lbs. (53 Nm).
9. Install the brace and bolts including brake line brace.
10. Connect the intermediate shaft to the stub shaft and tighten the pinch bolt to 29 ft. lbs. (40 Nm).
11. Connect the tie rod ends to the steering knuckles. Tighten the castle nuts to 31 ft. lbs. (42 Nm). Install new cotter pins.
12. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
13. Lower the vehicle.
14. Remove the support fixture.
15. Connect the negative battery cable.
16. Refill the power steering reservoir and bleed the system.
17. Check the front end alignment and adjust as necessary.

Put the vehicle on jack stands first. Then you pull the tie rod ends loose from the spindles on each side. There is 2 bolts that hold the rack and pinion to the subframe that you remove and it'll drop far enough that you can undo the powersteering lines and pull it out.

The rack and pinion is what the steering column and tie rod ends are connected to.

YOU HAVE TO SAFELY RAISE SUPPORT VECHICLE ON JACK STANDS.MAKE SURE YOU HAVE VECHICLE PARKED ON LEVEL SOLID GROUND.ONCE VECHICLE RAISED.REMOVE FRONT WHEELS.REMOVE TIE RODS END COTTER PINS AND CASTLE NUTS.REMOVE TIE ROD ENDS FROM THE KNUCKLES.REMOVE FRONT STABILIZER BAR.POSITION THE DASH OPENING WEATHER SEAL FOR THE STEERING COLUMN OUT OF THE WAY.REMOVE OR DISCONNECT THE FOLLOWING.REMOVE PINCH BOLT RETAINING THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLING.REMOVE STEERING GEAR RETAINING NUTS BOLTS.REMOVE REAR SUBFRAME BOLTS.USE WIRE TO SUPPORT EXHAUST COMPONENTS UNLESS YOU ARE REMOVING THEM COMPLETELY.SUPPORT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM FLEX TUBE AND REMOVE THE FLEX TUBE TO DUAL CONVERTER Y PIPE ATTACHMENT.LOWER THE VECHICLE SLIGHTLY UNTIL THE REAR SUBFRAME SEPARATES FROM THE BODY APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES.REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD BAND AND FOLD THE HEAT SHIELD DOWN.ROTATE THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY TO CLEAR THE BOLTS FROM THE FRONT SUBFRAME AND PULL TOWARD THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VECHICLE.PLACE A DRAIN PAN UNDER THE VECHICLE AND DISCONNECT THE POWER STEERING LINES.REMOVE THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VECHICLE***** TO INSTALL ****** INSTALL NEW TEFLON O - RINGS ON THE POWER STEERING LINE FITTINGS. PLACE THE RACK AND PINION RETAINING BOLTS IN THE GEAR HOUSING.INSTALL RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VECHICLE.INSTALL POWER STEERING LINES ON THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY. INSTALL RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY ON THE SUBFRAME.INSTALL ******** HEAT SHIELD.INSTALL TIE ROD ENDS TO THE KNUCKLES TIGHTEN THE CASTLE NUTS AND INSTALL THE COTTER PINS.INSTALL STABILIZER BAR.INSTALL RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY RETAINING BOLTS.TORQUE THEM TO 85 - 99 FT LBS. RAISE VECHICLE UNTIL SUBFRAME CONTACTS THE BODY.INSTALL REAR SUBFRAME RETAINING BOLTS TORQUE THEM TO 83 - 112 FT LBS.INSTALL EXHAUST SYSTEM FLEX TUBE TO DUAL CONVERTER Y PIPE.INSTALL FRONT WHEELS.INSTALL A NEW PINCH BOLT IN THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLING ON THE RACK INPUT SHAFT TORQUE PINCH BOLT TO 25 - 33 FT LBS.POSITION THE STEERING COLUMN OPENING WEATHER SEAL OVER THE STEERING GEAR HOUSING.LOWER THE VECHICLE FILL THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR. START THE VECHICLE AND CHECK FOR LEAKS. CHECK FOR PROPER WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND STEERING WHEEL POSITION.BLEED POWER STEERING SYSTEM.

You have to drop the rear subframe down to remove the rack and pinion

Break the lugnuts loose on both frt wheels. Jack up frt of vehicle. Remove wheels and remove the intermediate shaft attaching bolt. Support the subframe assembly. Remove the rear cradle bolts and lower the cradle slightly Remove the outer tierod attaching nuts and remove from spindles. Loosen and remove the power steering lines. Remove the steeing rack attaching bolts and rack.

The solenoids are under the side pan on the transmission on the drivers side. You will have to go through the drivers side fender well. Remove the wheel, brake caliper, spindle, take the rack and pinion loose, install engine support, place jack under left side (drivers side) of subframe, remove subframe mounting bolts, loosen (do not remove) right side subframe mounting bolts, lower left side of subframe 4 to 6 inchs, go to engine support and lower engine and transmission down just enough so that transmission side pan can be removed. Thanks and good luck with your repairs.

if fluid is flowing out the bellows, you need to replace the steering rack assembly. There is no fluid in the area of the inner tie rod. The seal is just before the tie rod.

Steering Gear
The power rack and pinion steering gear is serviced as a power steering short rack (3L547). The front wheel spindle tie rods (3280) and tie rod ends (3A130) are serviced individually. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• The power rack and pinion steering gear incorporates quick connect fittings for the power steering pressure hose (3A719) and power steering return hose (3A713) that allow the lines to swivel. This is normal and does not indicate loose fittings.
• If the fittings leak, check to make sure they are tightened to 14-20 Nm (10-14 lb-ft). Do not overtighten.
• If the leak is not corrected, replace the fitting seals.

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Section 11-02: Steering System, Power 1997 Windstar Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Tie Rod End Steering Gear Installed
Removal

1. Remove and discard cotter pin and nut from worn tie rod end (3A130).
   

1. Disconnect tie rod end from front wheel knuckle (3K185), using Tie Rod End Remover TOOL-3290-D or equivalent.
   

1. Hold tie rod end with a wrench and loosen tie rod end jam nut.
   

1. Note depth to which tie rod end was located by using the jam nut as a marker. Grip tie rod end with a pair of suitable pliers and remove tie rod end from front wheel spindle tie rod (3280).
   

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11-02: Steering System, Power 1997 Windstar Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Steering Gear Removal

1. Raise vehicle on a twin post hoist and remove wheel and tire assemblies. Refer to Section 00-02 .
   
   
   
   
   

1. Support vehicle with jackstands under front jack pads.
   

1. Remove tie-rod end cotter pins and nuts and remove tie rod ends (3A130) from front wheel knuckle (3K185). Refer to Section 04-01 .
   

1. Remove front stabilizer bar (5482). Refer to Section 04-01 .
   

1. Disconnect heated oxygen and catalyst monitor sensors.
   

1. Support flex pipe.
   

1. Remove bolts and disconnect flex pipe from the converter.
   

1. Raise dash opening steering column opening weather seal (3513) (secondary) above the steering gear housing (3548).
   

1. Remove pinch bolt retaining steering column intermediate shaft coupling (3A525) to power steering gear input shaft and control (3D517) and disconnect the shaft.
   

1. Remove nuts from steering gear-to-front subframe retaining bolts. Remove bolts.
   

1. Remove rear subframe-to-body retaining bolts.
   

1. Lower twin post hoist carefully until rear of subframe (5R003) separates from body, approximately four inches.
   

1. Remove heat shield band and fold shield down.
   

1. Rotate power rack and pinion steering gear to clear bolts from front subframe (5C145) and pull left to facilitate line fitting removal.
   

1. Place a drain pan under vehicle and remove line fittings.
   

1. Remove power rack and pinion steering gear through LH wheel well.
   

1. Remove and discard the O-rings.
   

Installation

1. Install new Teflon® O-rings on line fittings as outlined.
   

1. Place steering gear retaining bolts in steering gear housing.
   

1. Install power rack and pinion steering gear through LH wheel well.
   

1. Install power steering line fittings to power rack and pinion steering gear.
   

1. Position power rack and pinion steering gear into front subframe.
   

1. Install ******** heat shield.
   

1. Install tie-rod ends to front wheel knuckle. Install nuts and new cotter pins. Refer to Section 04-01 .
   

1. Install LH front stabilizer bar. Refer to Section 04-01 .
   

1. Install steering gear to subframe mounting nuts. Tighten to 115-135 Nm (85-99 lb-ft).
   

1. Raise hoist until rear subframe contacts body.
   

1. Install rear subframe to body retaining bolts. Tighten to 113-153 Nm (83-112 lb-ft).
   

1. Install exhaust system flex tube to dual converter Y pipe (5F250) and remove flex tube support.
   

1. Connect heated oxygen and catalyst monitor sensors.
   

1. Install tire and wheel assemblies. Tighten lug nuts (1012) to 115-142 Nm (85-104 lb-ft).
   

1. Using a new pinch bolt, install the steering column intermediate shaft coupling on the power steering gear input shaft and control and the lower steering column shaft. Tighten the pinch bolt to 34-46 Nm (25-33 lb-ft).
   

1. Position steering column opening weather seal (secondary) over the steering gear housing. Tighten nuts to 4.5-6.3 Nm (40-55 lb-in).
   

1. Remove jackstands and lower vehicle.
   

1. Fill power steering oil reservoir (3A697) with Premium Power Steering Fluid E6AZ-19582-AA or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESW-M2C33-F. Refer to Section 11-00 .
   

1. Check system for leaks and proper operation.
   
   

remove battery at least 15 mins or more before starting work. mark steering rod to st/rack and remove bolt. remove two subframe bolts at rear and lower the frame thus creating space to work. remove st/ rod. lock steering from turning. very important as not have airbag problems. remove tierod ends from knuckls. remove hoses from rack and mounting bolts . remove rack assembley from drivers side. you should replace as a long rack ie. rack with new inner tie rods already fitted. reverse order for fitting. pay attention as not catch rod bellows thus tearing them. use new seals on hoses. make sure to flush system of any debri. use new p/s fluid and after starting car turn steering from end to end to bleed system off air . time appox. 3.5 to 5.0 hrs.good luck