After finding that my steering rack was leaking, I decided to try changing it myself (in retrospect, maybe this wasn't a good idea). I managed to get the old rack out after lowering the subframe, and slid the new one in.

I'm having problems getting the shaft from the steering rack connected to the steering knuckle, i've tried wiggling the knuckle and the shaft, but can't get it in more than the first 1/2 inch or so. I'm trying to line up the front of the kuckle (labelled LH) with the square on the shaft, but still can't get it in. I've tried pushing the knuckle from the top, as well as pulling from the bottom, but haven't had much luck.

Is it easier if I screw the subframe back into place, or is there some trick to it? Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

You have to slide the subframe up some as you are slidingit in the coupler.
Sometimes it is a real pita. Regroup and try again.
This time it might slide right up in.

 

Thanks so much for the response! I tried it once, but the spindle worked its way out while I was jacking up the subframe, so I gave up on that method

I'll try it again, maybe with a second person holding the spindle in the coupler while jacking it up.

 

Sometimes it will even take me an hour working on a lift and using a tall jack to jack the subframe up.
They can be a pita. You just have to have it just right and it will slide right in.