I think I jacked my car up by the steering rack

[Natty]

Now that I think about it, I have no idea what a cross member is. When I jacked up my car, I picked a black beam that two boots (tie rods?) connect to. Could this have been my steering rack?
Also, if I did use the cross member, could it be damaged or bent?
Jeff

[AKADriver]

Yep, that was your steering rack <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

The crossmember just in front of the steering rack is the correct jack point, it's designed to support the weight of the car.

[Natty]

So, technically speaking, the steering rack was positioned so I could have gotten a jack in there?
Damnit.
That is what I get for thinking I'm a mechanic <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>
Jeff