Vauxhall Viva steering rack replacement

[cider]

Hi

I bought my son a Vauxhall Viva (not the 1970s model ! ) for learning to drive & first car. Cracking little car but..........

There has been a knocking noise from under the front end. I use a very helpful mechanic but this fault was misdiagnosed.
He replaced the top strut mounts. Then the drop links and track rod ends. The springs were also replaced.
The noise continued and was eventually traced to the steering rack by someone else. My mechanic said to get the rack end which I did for just £19.00.
I decided to do this myself to save some money considering the incorrect parts already installed.
Tonight I successfully gained access only to discover the steering rack has play where the steering rod exists the rack. Having done some research it seems the bush is worn inside and there is no alternative but to replace the complete steering rack. The gator at the rack end did not have a clip securing the gator so moisture and dust would have been able to contaminate the seal.
Is replacing the full rack something I can do myself. I am a heating engineer. I have tools and used to taking mechanical things apart.
What is involved and can it be done off axle stands

Thank you

 

[RrogerD]

Bugger me! My first car was a Vauxhall Viva.
As bouncy as hell; massive bus-sized steering wheel; useless narrow wheels with cross-plys etc and rear-wheel drive (crap in the snow).
First, trashed the gearbox purposely kangaroo-ing it, trying to get the front wheels off the ground lol!
Then, put it in a ditch one snowy drive home from a night-shift.
My second car was a Fiat 126

 

[jj4091]

edit

 

[Mottie]

Never done one on a modern Viva but most racks can be replaced by a competent DIYer but you will need to have the alignment checked and possibly the steering wheel straightened, depending how careful you are with connecting it all up. It will be harder to change than anything else that’s been replaced though. Why didn’t you change those parts yourself?

 

[cider]

Never done one on a modern Viva but most racks can be replaced by a competent DIYer but you will need to have the alignment checked and possibly the steering wheel straightened, depending how careful you are with connecting it all up. It will be harder to change than anything else that’s been replaced though. Why didn’t you change those parts yourself?

Thanks for your reply.
I have seen how to align the steering sufficiently to get it to a garage. Basically 2 axle stands, a length of string and a tape measure so that’s not a worry.
I’m a busy person being self employed and doing an extension. My mechanic was very reasonable so it made sense to use him until this fiasco. I can’t see how he hadn’t spotted the rack being the problem especially when replacing the track rod ends. I’ve found a company that supply refurbished units for £175 and you send them yours in return