Steering rack refurbishment

[GTVeloce]

Has anyone had success with restoring a steering rack in an 83 (or similar) Alfetta GTV? I'm not talking about changing tie rods and ball joints but stripping and rebuilding completely. How was parts availability? Where front?

Was it a tough job or pretty straightforward? Also, the 75 workshop manual with manual steering mentions an adjustable rack lash via a screw system while the Haynes manual mentions shims. Any idea when they changed and therefore any idea which one I might have? I know mine is a ZF rack but haven't had it out yet.