Title: cross-posted; need wider steering rack Post by: fiero308 on November 23, 2004, 02:16:27 pm I know I know but on the chance that the ONE knowledgable individual that I need to find is only looking at ONE part of the forum I am putting this in here too.
I guess it IS a mod, after all. So refer to General Chat for the main note on this. I need a steering rack that is 2 3/4" wider than stock. Any sources or suggestions would be appreciated. 1985 rebody; was originally a 4 banger..... Thanks! GP Title: Re: cross-posted; need wider steering rack Post by: dguy on November 23, 2004, 03:17:37 pm Is it safe to assume that you're willing to fab new mounts for the coveted rack if necessary, or are you trying to find a rack whose mounting points are the same as the stock 84-87 rack, but is overall 2.75" longer?
What about simply tracking down a pair of inner tie rod ends which are (each) 1 3/8" longer? ...or for that matter... damn where did I see it... I could swear that I once saw something similar to a turnbuckle used in a tie rod. P'raps cut the shaft of an inner tie rod, thread the cut ends appropriately, and join them with a threaded sleeve? ??? Title: Re: cross-posted; need wider steering rack Post by: fiero308 on November 23, 2004, 03:55:38 pm yeah it isn't much but it is ENUFF.....
Good point; maybe I CAN just get different ends; but I wonder what goes on INSIDE... Are there any reputable rack rebuilders in the area? I thought there was one (or two?) gp Title: Re: cross-posted; need wider steering rack Post by: fiero308 on November 30, 2004, 10:33:24 pm so. I needed 1 3/8" longer; this is what I have ended up with. Old one is the shortie; new one is the longer one. I had someone dig around and he found some inner tie rods that are pretty common. Dodge products from about 84-95. See pic 1. I think I will have to cut it down about 1/2" or so. Maybe as much as 3/4". No problem. I will get the inner ends (ball joint end) modified a bit so that they match the old shape; (2nd pic) that way it will retract a little bit into the end of the rack as the old one did.
The machine shop checked the material; said it was nice and soft and easy to work with. PROGRESS!! the control arms are being made now; this will get me pretty close to a finished front end!! |