Re the bolts, if you look at/on the head of the bolt there will be a marking if they are high tensile, it will be probably 8.8 or 10 at a guess, this is what you will need as a replacement.

 

That is a very worthwhile point for the DIYer.

You must slacken the little pinch bolt on the steering column knuckle to allow it to slide up its splines a bit.
Or you wont EVER lift the rack enough to jam a spacer under it lol
And dont forget to nip it up after. It's an MOT point too naturally.

There is also a metal C clip that carries a rubber hose (lower rad from memory) near one rack mount.
Take it off - IIRC use a 10mm ring spanner and swear at it a bit.
It makes life SO much easier to get the rack bolts back in.
You can refit it after.

 

I have some play in my steering, and I've had the rack spacers for about 4 years now. Not saying there's a connection... but I do wonder.

 

I had the tiniest bit of play at dead centre following my clutch change. Make sure your uj is nice and tight up the spline, it made a world of difference.

Don't over torque the pinch bolts though!

 

Yes it's at dead centre, and I had a whole engine change. Thanks, you might have saved me a load of money if it's that simple - I was looking at getting a secondhand replacement rack.

 

No worries.

Simplest thing I can recommend is banging a load of wd-40 or some grease on the splines, and this part is critical; turn the column so that the bolts are facing you (when your under the car) and torque them from the side, whilst lifting/pushing the uj up the spline towards the steering wheel.

Maybe easier with an extra pair of hands.

This will avoid accidentally pushing the uj downwards towards the rack as you lean on it to torque the bolt, which is nine times out of ten the problem people encounter.