SC Steering Rack DIY Bearing Replace

[Shaun @ Tru6]

This is definitely a fun and worthwhile job.










Black oxide for the final touch

[bugstrider]

Standing on the shoulders of the "Rack Giants", I have started upon our rebuild.

This is what I started with:










All parts semi-cleaned


Steering input shaft bearing contact patch.


Shaft sleeve with needle bearing


Needle bearing with what appears to be a felt washer/seal. Only one was found on the high side of the shaft. I assume to prevent any nasties or water(in theory) from compromising the bearings.


Puck condition with the usual worn groove.


The initial clean stage of the rack housing. Will continue to clean parts and source replacement bearings and other options.


A big shout out to all of you who have posted in the thread. Everyone's insight and experiences are very helpful.

Cheers Bugs
"Trev"










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[Kraftwerk]

Trevor, You win, for starting on the bottom, that thing is crusty. I guess 260,000 miles has something to do with it.
It's a fun thing to re-build though.
That felt seal may have been foam... my memory is a bit hazy on it...

Shaun, Yours looks brand new! Wow. I would work on that puck a bit more maybe but other wise: Wow.

[bugstrider]

^^^
Hahahahaha, sweet! We'll need to make a "Crusty Steering Rack" award along with "Most Improved" category too, where I would nominate Shaun. One that can be handed off every year. Shaun does exceptional work and I believe he offers a rack service too. He plated a bunch of hardware for me and I highly recommend his services.

Yeah, I was rather surprised to see the condition of the rack when I started pulling it apart. Has me wondering what surprise is lurking in the 68 912 project

This thread seriously motivated me to pull it and rebuild since I'm going deep on the suspension refresh. Only made sense to do this too and from the looks, I'm glad I did. The foam/felt/mystery material seal had me perplexed when I was pressing it out. It kinda started oozing out like the blob. Any suggestions on a feasible replacement? I read someone used a rubber O-ring I think.

I just dropped off the rack housing at my powder coater who I use locally. He has a tumbler he will put it in to give it a good cleaning. He made my front crossmember and front hubs look fantastic.




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[KTL]

I'm guessing the intent behind the felt seal was to allow periodic oiling of the bearing? I think instead the bearing should be sealed top and bottom. I bought some seals from metricseals.com

SC Steering Rack DIY Bearing Replace

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by bugstrider

^^^

I just dropped off the rack housing at my powder coater who I use locally. He has a tumbler he will put it in to give it a good cleaning. He made my front crossmember and front hubs look fantastic.

Trevor, make sure he caps each end and the center with rubber stoppers. You don't want media inside the rack abrading the brass bushings inside the body.

[bugstrider]

Thanks! I'll check it out. Now that I look at the attached link, I remember seeing that. This thread is the thread that keeps on giving. Links to links to additional links. Just when you think you've read them all, you have missed/forgotten about another one.

How about attaching this thread to the "while I'm there, let's also address fuel lines". Yup, I've fallen into that precipice as well.

I will polish the steering rod in hopes of dressing up the bearing surface.



If my drill press was large enough, I'd put it in there and polish it with an abrasive cloth, but I don't.
Cheers Trev


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[javadog]

Maybe now might be a good time to replace that shaft bearing with the version that chris_seven makes in the UK.

JR

[bugstrider]

JR,

I saw his product but can't seem to locate it. I literally just sent a message to another member asking. I do like his bearings. Do you have further on where to find them, web site, US distributor, etc? I'll try different search parameters to see if I get a hit.

Cheers Trev


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[Reiver]

chris_seven is in the process of rebuilding his website I believe...He's active on this site so find a thread and email him.

[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Trevor, make sure he caps each end and the center with rubber stoppers. You don't want media inside the rack abrading the brass bushings inside the body.

Thanks for the heads up Shaun. We had a long talk about those. I was able to clean up the housing fairly well. Looking for that ultra clean look to the housing.

I was able to remove all of the surface rust on the steering shaft. Next step, Navel Jelly...




It's going to town on the section with the rust. Does anyone know if the black coating was just a paint type or was it a special coat of some sort? When I wire wheeled the base where it bolts to the rubber bushing, it polished up to a shinny finish.


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[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by Reiver

chris_seven is in the process of rebuilding his website I believe...He's active on this site so find a thread and email him.

Thanks,

I actually did that earlier today hoping to hear back from him.

[javadog]

Go back a page in this thread to his comments:

SC Steering Rack DIY Bearing Replace

He may have sent a few parts over here, look at the posts below his.

JR

[Harpo]

Did anyone have to use any special tools to remove the bearings and the gear. I did remove the "C" clip that holds the bearing in place.

Thanks

David

[bugstrider]

Hi David,

No special tools are needed.

Cheers Trevor


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[Harpo]

Gear and bearings will not come out. I even tried warming up the aluminum with no luck. Any idea if FLAPS would have a gear puller that small?

David

[bugstrider]

David,

I will look at my reference photos when I get home from work this afternoon. I don't recall any issues on removing but it will be later before I can check.

Trevor

Found some in my phone. Once I pulled the nut off, the gear and bearing just pushed out. You might have some corrosion in the splines and or the needle bearing, PB blaster might help.





















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[Kool-aid-82]

16+ years of cool info, got to love PP!
Guess it is time I rebuild the rack on my 81 SC.

[kcf7z]

I have read through this and others and I just have a question for those that have done this process:

How did you reinstall the new bearings? Did you use a hydraulic press or some other way to reinstall? I do not have a press, so was just trying to determine if I need to take to a shop for help or invest in a small press for this and other projects.

Thanks for everyone's help and direction.

[casor]

Kc - no need for a press or any other giant tools to reinstall the bearings. The needle bearing should simply slip on the pinion with almost a feeler gauge amount of drag. The larger ball bearing can be tapped in using a socket of the appropriate o/s diameter of the bearing.

For the latter, make sure the bearing seating area in the rack housing is free and clear of crap and corrosion. Fine emery cloth and WD will clean this area up, but feel around for burrs that may prevent the bearing from going in level. You don't want to cock it going it - you will mung the alum housing.
Rob