Steering Rack Replacement Tips?

[OTB]

Hello fellow lotus know it alls...

I am replacing the steering rack this week and I would appreciate any advice, especially with the following two questions:

1. On a north american car, can I pull the rack out of the tunnel towards either side, driver or passenger? The car is situated a few feet from a wall on the driver's side, and i'll be in trouble if that wall is in the way.

2. How does the steering shaft from the cockpit connect/disconnect to the input pinion on the rack?

any tips would be appreciated

cheers