hello, im new to the import car scene but i really need help.
my car a 95 civic ex, got hit on the right front wheel area, as a result over time my wheel center has moved. i came to find that the bolts on the left side that hold the rack and pinion assembly to the car have come loose and one missing. i need to know if the nuts for the mounting bolts are drill and tapped as part of the firewall, or are they simply a threaded insert that was either welded or press fit. any info would be greatly appriciated

 

Steering rack is mounted to a subframe, not the firewall. And yes the holes for bolts are threaded. The theaded portion is usually a nut welded to the inside or back of the subframe.

 

So if I'm catching thread, but it's spinning on the back of the locator hole. I'm screwed?
Thank you for your response to my question.

 

Sounds correct. You may need to cut a hole to access broken weld nut, or consider drilling the treads out and putting a blind rivet-nut into the hole. Either way you will probably have to drop the subframe to do surgery.

You may also be able to find a replacement subframe locally. Check auto yards, car-part.com, offer up, craigslist, ebay etc...