| Author | Message | ||
| Greg Rodgers (Joechristmas)
Member Username: Joechristmas Post Number: 278 Registered: 3-2001 |
I looked into some prices on the u-joints. The lower U-joint was over $500. They also told me that they never need replacing. I am not sure but for that price I hope they never need replacement. Has anyone had to replace one? | ||
| Ric Rainbolt (Ricrain)
Junior Member Username: Ricrain Post Number: 94 Registered: 2-2002 |
The most common problem with these racks is enlargement of the end bushings in the rack itself. The OEM bushings are a bakelite type material that just gets beat-out over time. Have the rack rebuilt and brass end bushings installed. James at Norwood's should be able to accommodate you. I had this done about 5 years ago. It seems like it was around $250. BTW, last time I bought the pinkish rubber bushings from Ferrari, they were really cheap (well cheap for Ferrari... like $2/ea). | ||
| Peter S�derlund /328 GTB -88 (Corsa)
Junior Member Username: Corsa Post Number: 177 Registered: 4-2001 |
Greg. They were just cut 2 mm. I havn't found any nylon bushings yet so I guess I'll have to make them myself. If you stiff it up with aluminium or nylon bushings you might come into trouble if the screws no longer fit exactly to the threaded holes in the chassis due to the lack of flexibility you earlier had in the rubber bushing. Ciao Peter | ||
| Greg Rodgers (Joechristmas)
Member Username: Joechristmas Post Number: 272 Registered: 3-2001 |
Here is a pic of the bushings!  | ||
| Greg Rodgers (Joechristmas)
Member Username: Joechristmas Post Number: 271 Registered: 3-2001 |
Peter where can you get nylon bushings and how did you shorten the tube? | ||
| Peter S�derlund /328 GTB -88 (Corsa)
Junior Member Username: Corsa Post Number: 175 Registered: 4-2001 |
Stephen, have you checked the rubber bushings (8 pcs) at the clamping of the steering rack to the chassis. They can be worn out and the play can actually be the steering rack moving sideways when turning the steering wheel. You can also shorten the tube that goes inside those bushings to increse the the clamping force and load of the bushings to make the it stiffer. Already done on my 328 but I'll replace these bushings with nylon or aluminium next winter since it's not good enough. Ciao Peter | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member Username: Magoo Post Number: 2687 Registered: 2-2001 |
Also my 308 has no play in the wheel. Like Ed, the u joints are the first things I would check. | ||
| Frederick Thomas (Fred)
Member Username: Fred Post Number: 444 Registered: 2-2001 |
I had my rack rebuilt and it helped a alot. The wheel had a lot of play in it but a very noticable difference after the rebuild. | ||
| Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member Username: Irfgt Post Number: 1305 Registered: 2-2001 |
My 308 has zero play so I do not think it is normal. Check the U-joints on the lower column. | ||
| Greg Rodgers (Joechristmas)
Member Username: Joechristmas Post Number: 268 Registered: 3-2001 |
This is a problem I have tried to trace as well. The rack can be rebuilt but I am not sure how much it helps. To be honest I had the exact same problem that you have. To either side right when the wheel was centered. I checked the high angle U-joints, the coupling that the pinion goes into and found no problems. I could tell that my bushings were worn. I sent the rack off to be rebuilt. I received it back and still had the same amount of play. I resent the rack to the company and the owner inspected it and found the rack to be tight and in working fine. I put it back into the car with new bushings and tierod ends. I still have play in the steering. I am not sure what to think. It still seems to be rack lash in my case. (car is sitting still and the wheel can be moved left to right without a certain distance and the fronts wheels/tires no move. I am hoping that maybe once it is completely aligned that there will be no more play but I am not sure if that would help. I used Atlantic Ent. to rebuild my rack. Again I am still unsure of the play as I have a QV that has no play at all and has very tight steering. Again I am not sure if rebuilding would help as it didn't in my case and it sounds like the same problem. I have felt other 70's model 308s that had the same play but I still think it should be tighter. Hope this helps. | ||
| Stephen E. Schroeder (Seschroeder)
New member Username: Seschroeder Post Number: 3 Registered: 4-2002 |
It would seem my steering rack may have to be rebuilt/replace. There is approximately 2" of play right in the center. I understand that this is not uncommon. I was hoping the bushing were bad but no such luck. Anyone know if anything can be done to the rack to tighten it up? I know on some racks play may be taken out using shims. |