Removal of 2010 Nissan Xterra SE 4x4 steering rack (and partial replacement)

Watch me remove the steering rack from my 2010 Nissan Xterra SE. While the replacement should be essentially the reverse of the removal, I did give a few tips to someone putting the rack back in as well. This should be the same for anyone with a stock 2nd gen(2005-2015) Xterra and similar year Nissan Pathfinders and Frontiers. I include a section of the video about tools needed, but also put a list in the description below. Hope this helps y'all and if it does, think about liking so it can help others as well!
Tools needed
Wrenches: 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24
Sockets: 10, 12, 17, 21, 22, 24
Jack
Jack stands
1/4" and 1/2" socket wrench
1/2" breaker bar
hammer
PB blaster or other penetrant
Flathead screwdriver and/or pry bar
Pliers/visegrips
Optional:
Impact wrench
adjustable wrench
light source
00:00 Tools needed
09:02 Introduction
12:09 Starting repair
15:27 Tie rod end removal
23:33 Power steering hose removal
32:18 Sway bar removal
36:44 Removing the rack mounting bolts
39:11 Removing steering intermediate shaft
40:12 Pulling the rack
44:24 Side-by-side comparison
48:00 Inserting the new rack
51:34 Outro

[@scottcazelot4663]

THANK YOU! Huge help!!!

[@mitchellhines6200]

I have just done one and found it easier to remove steering rack ends and pull out through bottom of car under engine sump no did not remove front diff either riggle a bit but does come out

[@1966roadster]

Hey needing to replace my steering rack in my 08 xterra 4x4. You mentioned that you pulled it out the bottom instead of fishing it through the passenger side? Could you please go into some details about it? Thanks

[@angelosolano9261]

Good video...thanks

[@danieltyutyunnik2584]

Doing this on 4 by 4 frontier wisn me luck

[@garrhettmckain3120]

How did it go?

[@mitchellhines6200]

just remembered american nissan might be a little different to australian nissan navara

[@raysno8367]

Do you think it would been easier to drop the diff

[@garrhettmckain3120]

I haven't dropped the diff before so it's hard to say for sure. It wasn't particularly easy to get the rack out or put in so it very well could have been easier. I also was working with minimal equipment, contributing to my choice not to. In essence: if you're comfortable dropping the diff, probably would have been easier.

[@JimmyBoy87]

Did you have to center that rack?

[@garrhettmckain3120]

Yes I did. Actually I learned the hard way. I centered the rack, but left the steering wheel in the lock position, which Nissan put at 45 degrees off center. Had I more experience, I would have realized before too late. I ended up marking the position with the wheels centered and marking with the steering wheel centered, then disconnecting and reconnecting so that they matched. Back to your question, this rack did not specify so I centered it to make sure, some are centered out of box.

[@todrwilliams2871]

Get to the work ......