o.k. just got back from test drive, with the rebuilt rack and pinion freshly installed. the installation went so smooth that when drove the car the steering wheel is even centered (complete luck), but ill take it where i can get it!. hatch handles excelent, took a couple really fast corners and it just held the the line beautifuly, pulled through nice , no more shudder at speeds and no more dribble effects after a bump or pothole,
final test in a couple hrs when i drive to work, i foresee no issues though and expect to have fun.
(i problem checked off the list, only a bizillion to go)