GT4 Steering rack rebuild kit | FerrariChat

GT4 Steering rack rebuild kit

Discussion in '308/328' started by absostone, Mar 24, 2018.

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  1. absostone

    absostone F1 World Champ
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    Jul 28, 2008
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    Ok after a week of reading posts from 10 yrs ago onwards I'm more confused as ever. No one has ever posted any part numbers for bearings, seals etc. for rack rebuilding in any of the threads. Anyone have any info? yes my pass side bushing is rattling. The front suspension is the last thing to do on #09966 Mike
     
  2. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
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    Aug 7, 2012
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    Add "Pantera" to your search parameters.
     
  3. absostone

    absostone F1 World Champ
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    Yes thx. Did that all afternoon looking for parts/ info. Also. Isn't jh355 the go to guy for rack parts and rebuild etc. also I'm not sure about using the bronze bushing. As I'm afraid to wear out the internal bore of my original rack. Thx
     
  4. miked

    miked Formula Junior

    Feb 7, 2001
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    Cincinnati, Ohio
  5. absostone

    absostone F1 World Champ
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    thanx Mike. I was never able to find the main page until you posted it.. But I'm not seeing a rebuild kit anywhere in the world. meaning not just the bushing and boots, but the bearings seals O rings etc. I actually found the bearings on Dinoparts, but so they say. I really don't want to remove the rack unless I have what I need. Then again maybe I should and bring the bearings to a bearing supply shop.
     
  6. jimgolf1

    jimgolf1 Formula Junior

    Aug 23, 2013
    375
    Reno, NV
    Full Name:
    Jim Small
    John (jh355) rebuilt mine and it’s been great. He knows the little differences in these racks. I’m glad I had my original all rebuilt by him with new tie rod ends. I rebuilt or replaced almost every moving part in my suspension and steering so it should ride really close to as it was new. It does feel very tight and solid.
     
  7. Andy 308GTB

    Andy 308GTB F1 Rookie
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    Jun 2, 2004
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    Andy M
    The Pantera instructions are good but the rack itself is basic, once you start pulling bits off it will make sense! It's a good guide on what to expect though.
    Superformance sell all the parts. I replaced one bearing, the passenger side bushings and the rubber gaiters. I repainted the black bits and control arms & then filled it up with Semi-Fluid Grease (http://www.penrite-oil.co.uk/penrite-semi-fluid-grease-500ml). The track rod ends I got from a Classic Mini outlet for about £15 the pair (US$ 22). It now feels like new.

    The only advice I would give is before fitting back on the car make sure the rack slides smoothly and freely. The two passenger side bushes can be positioned in a number of ways - some configurations will make the steering feel stiff. Yes, ask me how I know...
     
  8. absostone

    absostone F1 World Champ
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    #8 absostone, Mar 27, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2018
    I've read that. I pmed jh355 last week But no reply. I pulled mine out yesterday. The two lower bolts took 6 minutes. The collar took 15 minutes. The tie rod ends took 20 minutes The other two upper bolts took 5 hours. Unbelievable. The spare wheel tub needs two three quarter inch holes to get to the top bolts. Then a black rubber plug to cover the holes. I might do that before reinstall
     
  9. absostone

    absostone F1 World Champ
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    Yes Andy thanx I did see SF has some parts for this. I spoke with a pantera place yesterday. And I'm going to double check some dimensions for the bushing. He actually told me that they remove the plastic portion of the bushing only. Then they clean out the remainder of plastic and leave the metal ring in place. Then the bronze bush goes next to it, closer to the edge of the rack tubing. Which to me is better and offers more support. Btw I have the early early style mounts. I'm going to search for parts for that today. I don't feel the need to upgrade to the bigger mounts. Thx
     
  10. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
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    Might be worth drilling the rivets out of the tub, then keep it installed with appropriate machine screws. I'm planning to do that after I complete reupholstering the rear shelf panels.
     
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  11. absostone

    absostone F1 World Champ
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    that sounds like more work than I need right now, but I'm not sure if the tub would just pull out based on the parts diagram. even if I drill it, I can always fiberglass the hole from the rack side and paint the hole black. so in the future it can be drilled out again , it would be a mark. or just fiberglass from the tubside sand it and paint the tub
     
  12. absostone

    absostone F1 World Champ
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    Btw Panteraparts usa, also known as Panteras by Wilkinson. no longer sells a bushing for the rack due to liability reasons. Really ? cmon
     
  13. Mechanical Dad

    Mechanical Dad Formula Junior

    Aug 30, 2016
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  14. Aus_yz

    Aus_yz Karting

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  15. absostone

    absostone F1 World Champ
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    yes thx. but whats the deal with the reaming the bushing. I spoke to pantera performance today and we went over the dimensions of my rack and the bushings he makes it seems fine. why does everyone say it needs to be reemed? id like to know
     
  16. absostone

    absostone F1 World Champ
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  17. Aus_yz

    Aus_yz Karting

    Sep 5, 2015
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    the brass bush diamentions are spot on but when you press the bush in the rack housing its a interferance fit and the brass bush id shrinks so much the steering rack shaft no longer goes through the bush
     
  18. Motob

    Motob Formula 3
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    Nov 11, 2003
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    Brian Brown
    All of the Pantera bushings that I have installed were plug and play. I removed the remains the steel outer portions of the original bushing. The new bronze bushing slides right in and is held in place with the original screw. You have to drill a location hole in it to line up with the screw. There used to be multiple threads and websites on installing the bushing. The only time that I have had and with the rack shaft not sliding through the bushing, is when the rack is bent. This happens quite often. I always check the run-out of the rack shaft on V-blocks with a dial indicator. If you know what you are doing it is fairly easy to straighten the rack with a press. There are complete cheap replacement racks for 246/308/328 on ebay. At first I thought that they would be crap, but a workmate of mine put one in a car, and it was plug and play. Not bad for $150 for a new rack with tie-rods.
     
  19. absostone

    absostone F1 World Champ
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    Thx guys that explains it.
    MOTOB the pantera place I was talking to said that by removing the plastic portion of the bush and leaving the steel ring in place the bronze bush can go in next to it. What do you think about that?

    And yea I've been lost in threads that go off topic about this for weeks and weeks. And as far as buying one made I'm sure it would be easier but I've also read threads where the rack is too big or to small or to cheap etc. after two and a half years of a Bare metal paint job, and engine out and new hoses and suspension , weather stripping, new leather for the front seats etc. there are a lot of old parts in boxes in my way and just wanted to put the original one back in
     
  20. absostone

    absostone F1 World Champ
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    Another question. How do you enlarge the bore diameter once it's installed. Or what does one do.
     
  21. absostone

    absostone F1 World Champ
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    Ok so a local member wildcat326 was kind enough to mail me a new sacc bush he never used. It won't even slide over the rod. Is it supposed to be that tight? I wouldn't think so especially when's it's said that they get tighter when installed.
     
  22. absostone

    absostone F1 World Champ
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    Ok so there were some small burs on the edge of the staking groove on the shaft. it fits in now with a little room. How much tighter will it be when the when the screw goes in? And also to pre drill the hole for the screw, when the bushing gets pushed in its gonna be tough to get the hole to line up isn't it? Are we saying to install the bush make a pilot hole then remove it and finish drilling ? then reinstall it?
     
  23. absostone

    absostone F1 World Champ
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  24. absostone

    absostone F1 World Champ
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    Couple of questions.
    How does the rack vent air from left right movement?

    What do I put back in the inner most tie rod end that had a duel in it. Which I drilled out?, maybe a small screw or Allen ?
     

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