Abstract: A rack and pinion assembly including a housing having a rack portion and a rack disposed therein. The rack defines a rack axis. A support member configured to limit movement of the rack in a radial direction within the rack portion is also included. The rack portion includes a tapered neck portion that increases in diameter from an inboard end to an outboard end. The invention also pertains to a rack and pinion steering assembly that includes a housing having a rack portion and a rack defining a rack axis disposed therein. The rack portion includes a first rack portion that defines a first rack portion axis and a second rack portion axis that is offset relative to the first rack portion axis. The first rack portion axis is generally coaxial to the rack axis and the second rack portion axis is offset relative to the rack axis.