I have a DC integra that has had the steering rack replaced.
When the wheels are straight, the wheel is off center 90 degrees
The alignment shop said they cant align it if the wheel is of center.
So I believe when the rack was installed, the splines could not have been marked and lined up correctly.

My question: Is it a big deal to correct this by taking the wheel off and turning that rather than dropping the rack and fixing that way?

 

Loosen up the steering column U-joints, and you should have enough play to get it off the rack and realign it. To check, turn the wheel lock to lock, and see if it turns the same both ways. If not, align it so that it does. That will center the wheel/rack.

 

anyone else confirm that this can be done and I am not fighting a loosing battle under my dash lol

 

You can do it. But if you just had this done by a shop Id have them correct their mistake and eat the bill.

 

I actually bought the vehicle like this.
Is there any reason not to do this via taking the steering wheel off and turning it?

 

Test it out before you remove the wheel, make sure there are an equal number of spins lock to lock. If not and you remove the wheel to center it you'll be able to turn really far one direction and not enough in the other. If everything right now is fine (equal number of spins, car goes straight, no binding, and rack is attached correctly) I don't see any reason you couldn't just remove the wheel and reinstall it.

 

The have about 1/12 of a turn more to right right than the left. This should be adjusted at the rack correct?

 

1/12 more from center or from the 'car driving straight' position? If it's from center, get it aligned. If they can't, then something is really bent. If it's from the driving straight position, take off the wheel or u-joint and move the wheel to center.

 

OK here we go...

Yes echoside was correct in making sure you have an even (close to even, 1/12 is pretty close) number of turns to the left from wheels centered (not steering wheel) as to the right from wheels centered. If not, then yes the steering rack does need "adjusted", but it's really done at the tie rods. If you do have even (close enough) then yes take the steering column off of the steering rack input shaft (lower u-joint) you will have to remove the bottom bolt & loosen the top bolt in order to slide the u-joint up enough to get it off the steering rack input shaft and turn it.

How to determine the steering rack's true center:
First, turn the steering wheel all the way to thr right "lock". Next, while counting the number of turns, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left "lock". Finally, divide the number of turns from lock to lock, and turn the steering wheel back that much. That is the true center of the steering rack. If the steering wheel isn't centered at that spot then center it by the u-joint. If the car doesn't drive straight, then the steering rack needs to be centered.

There is a huge reason not to take off the steering wheel and center it there. If you still have your cable reel with airbag and such attached, you could cause a major problem by not having the cable reel centered with the steering rack. It could then bee turned too far in one direction and break the ribbon inside causing a failure in any one of those systems (SRS, cruise, horn, etc.). The safest is to do it at the u-joint as 02_accord mentioned.

Lastly, don't take your car back to that shop that won't perform an alignment on your car since the steering wheel isn't centered... THAT'S PART OF AN ALIGNMENT!!! centering the steering wheel.