OK...I got the outer tie rod ends off, the rack off..the only thing holding it on is the part that goes to the steering wheel..there is a big nut on top of the rack but I don't know what it does..should I take that off too?? does that hold the steering wheel part on?? I'm confused and don't know what to do..

There is a lock bolt that passes through a clamp that holds the steering shaft in place. It is either a 13mm or 15mm as I recall. In your original post, pay attention to what Seanh said. If you don't know what this looks like, look inside the car at the bottom of the steering column as it is the same type of coupling.

Right where the shaft goes up from the rack is a rubber boot. Under the boot is a collar. You need to loosen the bolt on the collar. If I remember it's either a 10mm or a 13mm bolt (I want to say it's a 13mm)
You will need a wrench since a socket won't fit in there and trying to hold the boot up while unbolting the collar is a huge pain in the arse.

You can also uncouple the column under the dash (one easily-reached pinch bolt), then take the lower portion of the column shaft with the rack. I do it this way, whole lots easier!