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I'm getting set to do some work on my 01 SSEi that has been a long time coming, and wanted to ask if there is any particular order I should do the work. I'm going to replace my rack and pinion (difficult to turn right most of the time) tie rod ends (come with the new rack), the front struts including strut bearings and ball joints.

Recommendations?

Thanks!

Well, the tie rods mount to the steering rack and the knuckles that in turn mount to the ball joints and front struts. If you really don't want to do them all at the same time, do the rack and tie rods together, and the struts and ball joints together. The order really wouldn't matter. Either chunk would mean you'd need an alignment. You might be able to get the most out of an eyeballed alignment if you do the struts/ball joints first, then the rack and tie rods a little while later then get an alignment.

If you're asking where you should start if you're going to park yourself next to the wheelwell for several hours, I'd start with removing the lower strut mount bolts, then pop the tie rod off the knuckle, then the knuckle off the ball joint, then remove the ball joint and the strut (on both sides of the car) then get the rack out (no idea where to start there, haven't done it), get the new rack in, then struts and ball joints, then tie rods, then knuckle.