Bob C
|
| posted on 23/6/04 at 10:17 AM |
|
|
Mounting shortened rack
I've sliced 3.5" off an escort rack. The rack mounts are now only about 8" apart so I'd like to hold the rack body nearer the
ends. Idea is to make some clamps aout of ally to hold the very ends of the rack while also holding the gaiters on. So it'll 1) hold on the
gaiters and 2) put a bit of rubber between me and the wheels. I'll retain one of the original mountings to add strength in lateral location. Can
anyone tell me whythis is a seriously bad idea?
 
Rescued attachment track.gif
|
|
|
|
|
James
|
| posted on 23/6/04 at 11:48 AM |
|
|
Just out of interest, how come you've chopped an Escort rack?
James
|
|
|
Bob C
|
| posted on 23/6/04 at 12:07 PM |
|
|
It's way too long for a book chassis (about right for the guys with +4" at the front) & I wanted to avoid bump steer etc. The rack
teeth are hardened but the rest of it is lovely stuff to machine, feels almost like malleable cast iron, so the job's easy. I believe MK also
shorten racks - how do they mount them?
cheers
Bob C
|
|
|
MikeP
|
| posted on 23/6/04 at 12:11 PM |
|
|
I have seen gaitors damaged from the clamps holding them on being too tight - this seems like they'd be held even tighter.
I'd want to be sure the outer ends of the rack are as strong as the normal rack mounting locations - it doesn't look like it, at least
from your drawings.
|
|
|
Mk-Ninja
|
| posted on 23/6/04 at 12:31 PM |
|
|
Bob
What about putting a spigot on your clamps to hold the gaitor, then you can clamp directly to the rack body with your clamp and you can put a normal
clip round the gaitor.
Gordon
I'm sure I've got one, just don't know where I've put it
|
|
|
Mk-Ninja
|
| posted on 23/6/04 at 12:32 PM |
|
|
Oh by the way the rack for the indy that MK shorten is the sierra rack and it has mounting holes in it.
HTH Gordon
I'm sure I've got one, just don't know where I've put it
|
|
|
Bob C
|
| posted on 23/6/04 at 12:49 PM |
|
|
Cheers Gordon - yeah - could do the separate gaiter mounting on clamp thing...
Ta
Bob
|
|
|
Rob Lane
|
| posted on 23/6/04 at 02:52 PM |
|
|
Shortening the rack's OK but trying to get engine to fit afterwards would be tight, assuming it's a book chassis.
By shortening you will have moved the rack pinion closer to centre of car and possibly straight though some engine bits.
Ok you can do a shaft offset with bearing support but I'd be interested to see how it's done.
Rob Lane
|
|
|
Rob Lane
|
 posted on 23/6/04 at 02:56 PM |
|
|
Ahh I see from ID it's a R1 engined beasty.
Should be able to make rack fit then.
I think TAS used to sell a ali block fastening for the rally boys that fit Escort rack tube.
|
|
|
WIMMERA
|
| posted on 24/6/04 at 10:21 AM |
|
|
I'm using a shortened rack (130mm) with the normal escort mounts, no problems in 10K, but I did make the book mounting brackets substantially
stiffer
|
|
|
Bob C
|
| posted on 24/6/04 at 11:17 AM |
|
|
That's interesting Wimmera - your mounts must be early touching! any chance of a photo? Did you shorten the rack housing by the same amount or a
bit less & put up with limited lock? Any issues with the cut out part of the rack (where the teeth are)sliding through the non-pinion end support
slide?
Cheers & thanks
Bob
|
|
|
WIMMERA
|
| posted on 25/6/04 at 10:47 AM |
|
|
The mounts are 120 mm centre to centre, shortened the housing by 130 (same as rack) no issues with the rack teeth in the l/h bush, from memory I
don't think the teeth get out that far even on full lock. I have a couple of pics but haven't got a clue how to post them
|
|
|
Bob C
|
| posted on 25/6/04 at 11:19 AM |
|
|
No worries mate - put mine together last night & it looks much better than I thought it would. I've only shortened my rack body by 3",
rack itself by 3.5" Because it's a quick rack the "cut out" for the teeth is even more pronounced, hence worry about nearside
slidey bearing - turns out it's not a problem.
picture:
http://freespace.virgin.net/bob.carter/images/rackbits.jpg
Bob C
|
|
|
