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Fitting Steering Rack
mistergrumpy - 7/3/07 at 05:53 PM

Does anyone have any good tips on fitting my steering rack i.e. mounting it on a hinged board or summat while I work out its optimum position? How do I make sure that the front and rear wheels are all parallel and in line and stuff. Just want to try and get it right first time (for a change!)


ayoungman - 7/3/07 at 06:22 PM

I too would appreciate some tips on this since I'm setting up the suspension prior to lowering the car.


mistergrumpy - 8/3/07 at 09:48 AM

Bump


robertst - 8/3/07 at 09:56 AM

i think this is a new one mate, and no one has done anything remotely close to a jig for the steering rack.

i'm in the same situation, although i have to take some steps back and fix my wishbones first.


mistergrumpy - 8/3/07 at 02:08 PM

I think we've crossed wires somewhere Robert, though I do kinda understand what you mean. I can't imagine there's a jig as each individual cars different and threfore its just trial and error untill its right. What I'm after is some kind of top tip to secure the rack whilst I bounce the car on its suspension to check for bump steer and also a top tip for checking that my front wheels are in fact running parallel to each other and pointing perfectly forward.


Ivan - 8/3/07 at 02:49 PM

Somewhere in here I saw somebody mention fixing laser pointers to the discs to check bump steer & I thought that's a cool idea.

That's the way I'm going with them shining on a board with vertical lines. You can also check Toe this way.


mistergrumpy - 8/3/07 at 05:02 PM

Yeah I think the points been missed again here. I know how to adjust for bump steer and what not but my thing is how do I secure the rack steadily enough so's when I start bouncing the suspension only the arms move and the central rack itself is held steady. Is it a matter of welding two arms on and drilling them cos I'd have to keep redrilling the more times I moved the rack clamps up and down.

If you get what I mean

[Edited on 8/3/07 by mistergrumpy]


MikeRJ - 8/3/07 at 05:10 PM

Can't you just use molegrips or even G-clamps to hold he rack brackets in place? Is there a clearance problem?


mistergrumpy - 8/3/07 at 05:15 PM

Oh sh1t Now I feel like a right d1ck. Absolutely no idea why I didn't think of that! I'll get me coat...and mole grips and clamps. How embarassing!!! Cheers Mike, fancy keeping this between you and me and pretending it never happened?


caber - 8/3/07 at 07:07 PM

I welded the end of the brackets to the front tube fixed the rack to the brackets where I thought it should go after sliding it up and down a few times then bent the brackets until it was a bit better then welded up however I still have lots of bump steer as the rack (escort from raldes) seems to be too long between the joints

Caber


Ivan - 8/3/07 at 07:11 PM

Just one thing - when you've settled on a spot for the rack remember to check that at full lock and at full bump and droop there is no chance of the arms going over center - not a nice experience - believe me - I know.


robertst - 8/3/07 at 08:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Ivan
Just one thing - when you've settled on a spot for the rack remember to check that at full lock and at full bump and droop there is no chance of the arms going over center - not a nice experience - believe me - I know.


What do u mean by "over Center?"


MikeRJ - 8/3/07 at 08:50 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mistergrumpy
fancy keeping this between you and me and pretending it never happened?


Sorry, what never happened?