quote Originally posted by Stricken: With the pinion out, I cannot slide the rack by hand. I'm assuming this isn't normal and I need to remove the rack and throroughly clean the housing?

The rack should come through on the driver's end easily enough.
Likely old dried grease on the rack's shaft around the passenger end bushing.
Try spraying that area down with brake cleaner and may need a rubber hammer for persuasion.

[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 09-03-2020).]