This being my first rack replacement on ANY vehicle, everyone was saying I was nuts. One of my friends (not a mechanic either) insisted that we should be able to do it ourselves and save $1000+. After 3-4 hours of screwing around trying to find or even see that 3rd bolt, we went to the library and 3 auto parts stores looking for a repair manual to verify the picture that OGBULLYLOCDAWG posted above. One manual for a Passat had a similar picture. We still couldn't get the socket on the bolt head or even see it for that matter.

Yesterday, after 4 days of thinking about it, I tried something different. I removed the battery tray. Pushed out the rubber plug just below the brake assist. Put a flashlight next to that hole. I got my 12 year old son to hold the socket extensions up in the aforementioned hole from under the car. Then I took and taped a pen flashlight ($3) about 8" from the end of a 4' heavy gauge galvanized wire ($10 for 30ft) and used pliers to put a 1-2" hook on the end. Then from the passenger's wheel well, I inserted the wire along the top of the rack to the bolt head. My son slowly raised the socket while I guided it onto the bolt. It then came right off.

I hope this helps someone in the future from the frustration and wasting of time that I went through.

I re-installed AND tightened the 3rd bolt!! It was easy..only took 5 minutes...so you can do it too haha

Here's what I did:

From under the car, I saw the steering rack but not the 3rd bolt. I have a good idea of where it is, so I stick the socket into the general location, and while holding it in place (1-2feet of extensions and 1 u-joint with electrical tape to keep it all from flopping around too much), I slowly move to the wheel well and with my free left hand, I guide the socket onto the 3rd bolt using a home-made tool. The tool is a long skinny flathead screwdriver with an old windshield wiper blade metal insert taped to it to add length, and bent 90deg. at the end to use as a hook (to guide the socket)