Gave the car to a mechanic over the weekend, steering rack was moved forward to allow a manifold on over the weekend. Knuckle would have been disconnected and also the rack slid off the bottom end of the knuckle. Got the car back, thought the steering didn't feel the same as before but I put it down to tyre pressure or something simple.

Went out to have a look in the daylight and the knuckle and the rack have not been fully put back on their splines as they should as in part of the splines are visible on near the firewall and also where the rack joins the the knuckle. They are secured but a few questions as I have not done this job myself in a long time.

Are they meant to be fully pushed back in? I'm assuming so but can't recall and I have nothing to compare to.

Also would this account for the different "feeling" steering as in effect I now have a longer distance from wheel to rack?

What is the best way to get these pushed back on?

Thanks