Steering Rack Q

[fahrvergnugen at cox.net (fahrvergnugen@cox.net)]

---- marc_scirocco@sympatico.ca wrote: 
> I just ordered the Autotech Quick Ratio Steerink Rack Kit.
> 
> Wondering if my old housing will be fit to house the new gears?
> 
> I guess the housing does not wear out like the gears. I might have answered my own question, but if anyone has experience with steering rack disassembly/reassembly who might chip in...
> 
> It is Manual Rack BTW.
> 
> Getting ready for Cincy!
> 
> Cheers.
> 
> Marc

The body can indeed wear out.


Up until recently, I had never played with R&Ps.  The one in my daily-driven pickup is not handy, for some reason they put a worse ratio in the pickups, which means tight turns are difficult.  SO, I bought one off Vortex.  I took it apart to re-grease it, and the seal at the input shaft was gone, water had eaten up the hardened rack and pinions themselves.  Bad thing, I waited so long to tear that one down, I don't feel right asking for a refund.  There went 45.00.  Next, I put out a call here on the list, and Don Walter was nice enough to answer the call.  I asked him to tear it down and take some pictures, which he nicely complied.  Neither of us saw any rust, so I bought it.  Some weeks later I tore it apart, and noticed that there was an extreme amount of rust on the passengers' end of the rack.  I assumed that was only on the outside tube, but instead it was also on the rack again.  In fact, it was so extreme on that end that it wore out the bearing in the rack tube, adding slop when turning.  Another bad one, who knew?  Don was nice enough to refund my money, which I appreciate.

SO, I as of yesterday ordered a new one from the Potters.  110.00 is more than I wanted to spend, but considering the trouble I have had...  *banghead*

So, to sum up: take the thing apart, and clean the R&Ps carefully.  Check for pitting.  If there are pits, more than likely the bearings in those related areas re bad or worn.

G/L

David