when you removed the old rack, did you disconnect and remove the part your having a problem with first?
Do you have the old rack still? make sure the new rack matches exactly, It would not be the first time a parts person pulled the wrong part.
The part that your not getting I think is, when you install some racks you may have to remove the steering column, ( WITH THE WHEEL LOCKED IN PLACED TO AVOID DAMAGING THE CLOCK SPRING ) then remove the old rack, install the new rack then reinstall the steering column.
All of this would be covered in a service manual.
in the past when I changed out racks I would skip the process of removing the column by inserting the rack into the rag joint clamp before bolting the rack down.
if your rack is bolted down, and you do not want to remove the column you will have to take the rack back apart.
if you remove the column you will need a helper inside the car to assist you.
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