Steering Rack

Va914 · 03-10-2001, 02:39 PM

The PO bought a used Steering rack and never installed it. He included it with the sale and I was getting ready to install it today when a problem came up. I is really hard to turn compared to the original one.

How can you tell if the sterring rack is bad? Is there a way to rebuild one?

Thanks

tracer · tracer's Garage

Why are you going to replace your current steering asm? If you are going to think about rebuilding one why not rebuild it?

Va914 · 03-10-2001, 08:33 PM

I have 2 Steering racks. Pne of them was in a box that the PO bought. I was in the process of installing it when I noticed it was much harded to operate (on the bench) then the one I just took off.

I don't want to install a bad rack. I am just checking to see if there is a way to adjust the drag. OR the rack should be alittle hard to operate on the bench.

Thanks

MidMike · 03-11-2001, 09:46 AM

Va914......I was wondering the same thing....I have a smaller dia. aftermarket steering wheel installed, and my 74 steers like a truck......I know that the smaller wheel is going to make it harder to turn......Any input...anyone?

JP Noonan · 03-11-2001, 10:08 AM

There are shims used to adjust the drag of the steering rack. If you know for sure the one from the PO is rebuilt then I guess it would be the one to install. BTW what was wrong with the old one?

A smaller wheel makes the car harder to turn, as does larger tires, mechanical advantage.

Va914 · 03-11-2001, 10:45 AM

Well maby this was a stupid thing to assume BUT. The steering rack that was in the Box when I bought the car looked clean and in very good condition. SO I took off the rac which is installed on the car.
When I had them both off I noticed the difference. Using my hand and not the steering wheel, one rack is very hard and the other slides very easy.

I took out some shims but it still turns much harder.

I guess if it's not broke don't fix it. I fugured he bought the replacement for a reason?

Thanks for you help guys

HMeeder · HMeeder's Garage

Perhaps the difference lies in the fact that the rack you took off your car has more wear and is therefore looser. You are turning the rack on your work bench and aren't able to generate the torque to turn the rack easily. Seems to me that it would be a couple of minutes work to put the new rack in without actually hooking the tie rod ends up. Then crank the wheel around and see how it feels. I'm willing to bet it won't feel nearly as stiff as you think it does when you are trying to spin just the pinion by hand. Also the rack may have heavier grease giving more resistance.

Just a couple of thoughts.

------------------
Herb
'72 1.7 Tangerine 'Teen
'74 2.0 Red Rustmobile

Rob-O · 04-12-2001, 11:09 PM

Hmmm...yeah. Those nasty little shims. I've run into this a couple of times. You can get the whole rack apart pretty easily once those shims are outof there and you can disassemble the steering shaft. Of course that makes it much easier to clean up the aluminum rack too. Which would make it look rebuilt. I've seen quite a few 914 racks and have yet to run into one that has actually worn the rack or the pinion. I have run into instances where somebody pulled the rack, disassembled it and then forgot which shims go where. Of course if you can't figure it out, then you need a new rack. Maybe the PO was of this type. Pulled the rack for some reason, messed up the shim positions, reassembled and then discovered he screwed up. Then bought a new rack, installed it and sold the car to you before he messed anything else up.