I am in the process of installing a remanufactured rack & pinion (from Cardone) and when I got to the point of re-attaching the lower internmediate shaft to therack & pinionstub shaft the hole for the pinch bolt no longer lines up. Too short by about 1/2". I know there are two different rack & pinions available for the 03 CTS depending on the suspension type. I called the dealer to determine which type I had and was told I have the FE1 with soft ride. Cardone has both types of rack & pinions,FE1 with soft ride part #22-368,and FE1 without soft ride part #22-367. All other connectionslike mounting bolts and hose connections match up. Does anyone know what the difference is between the two types? Could I have been given the wrong part or been told the wrong suspension type? Is there some way to adjust the length of the steering shaft to lower or extend it?

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I'm not sure if the 03 is the same as the 05 but I'll tell you what I do know. On my 05 I found the Service Parts ID Labelglued to the bottomofthe spare tire cover. Its a small white label with all the option codes listed. That will tell you if you have the FE1 or not. The 05CTS service manual lists FE1 as Suspension System Soft Ride
FE2 as Suspension System Ride, Handling
FE3 as Suspension System Soft Ride
and FE4 as Suspension System Special Ride and Handling

I do not know what the difference between any of them is, but this might help you find out if you in fact have the FE1 or not. Best of luck to you. By the way, we are virtual neighbors, I live in Middleburg and work primarily in Jax, Fl.