308 QV steering rack removal/installation questions | FerrariChat
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308 QV steering rack removal/installation questions

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by jwise, Dec 19, 2005.

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  1. jwise

    jwise Formula Junior

    Apr 2, 2003
    781
    Portland Maine
    #1 jwise, Dec 19, 2005
    Hi Folks-

    I'm currently replacing the a-arm bushings/ tie rod ends/ flex brake lines/pads/front bearings, etc on my 308 QV.

    So, I'm about to remove the steering rack . There is axial play when I pull on the tie rod end (disconnected from the steering arm). It has some slop, less than a millimeter, when I pull it towards me. This is only on the drivers (left) side.

    The a-arms are already out of the way.

    First question:
    I've removed all the frame mounts and loosened the connecting collar to the steering column. Is there a trick to getting the rack off of the steering column/shaft? I assume it just pulls off a splined connection?

    Second question:

    How do I know that the rack will be reinstalled in the correct position with wheels straight and steering wheel straight? The steering column is locked. I figured I would measure from the box to each tie rod end, and then mimmic those dimensions when I install the rack with new tie rod ends? Any other words of warning? I have not pulled the rack off the steering column shaft yet. So far, I've just marked all pieces with a sharpie. I assume an error here can be fixed during the alignment?

    Lastly- it seems like I need to replace the internal bushing/s in the rack to fix the axial play. I'm seen a few photos of this, but was wondering if anyone has some more advice or photos.
    I'm already replacing all the frame mount bushings for the rack.

    Obvioisly- the car is getting a full alignment/balance when this is done.

    Thanks in advance
    jwise
     
  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,932
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #2 Steve Magnusson, Dec 19, 2005
    I think you have to remove the bolt completely to separate the splined-joint (at least I recall that some of these squeezed splined-joints have that as a safety feature so the splined-joint can't come apart if the bolt just gets loosened a little).

    With regard to the mechanical "pre-alignment" -- you've got the right approach (assuming each tie rod end is threaded about the same number of turns onto its respective end of the rack).
     
  3. jwise

    jwise Formula Junior

    Apr 2, 2003
    781
    Portland Maine
    #3 jwise, Dec 21, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  4. miked

    miked Formula Junior

    Feb 7, 2001
    913
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    #4 miked, Dec 21, 2005
    Does your wife know that you are using her fancy table for a workbench???
     
  5. PINNIN512

    PINNIN512 Formula 3

    Aug 30, 2002
    1,014
    California
    Full Name:
    David
    #5 PINNIN512, Dec 22, 2005
    AH.....Looks so familiar!
     
  6. jwise

    jwise Formula Junior

    Apr 2, 2003
    781
    Portland Maine
    #6 jwise, Dec 22, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  7. ham308

    ham308 Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    358
    NE Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Richard Ham
    #7 ham308, Dec 24, 2005
    Hi Jwise, how are you getting on with this?

    A blow by blow account of the rack removal and the inner bush replacement would be very useful. I guess I'm not the only one who should do this job sometime.


    What are you doing with the shocks? original or upgrade?

    Season's greetings to y'all from snowy Switzerland
     
  8. jwise

    jwise Formula Junior

    Apr 2, 2003
    781
    Portland Maine
    #8 jwise, Dec 24, 2005
    I'm staying with the old shocks this time around. I hoping to compare ride changes with just bushings right now. Next year I will replace the old shocks with new konis and see how that changes the characteristics also. I'm also trying to split up the cost over time.

    I will document this proceedure after it's complete. So far, so good.
     
  9. Owens84QV

    Owens84QV F1 Rookie

    Oct 2, 2001
    4,486
    Somewhere in NC
    Full Name:
    Greg
    #9 Owens84QV, Dec 26, 2005
    I'm doing my 30K major first of Feb and then while the car is on stands, I'm going to redo all of the bushings for the suspension as well as QA-1 shocks and Eibach springs. I've got the bushings for the steering rack so I'll replace those as well while the front suspension is out of the way.
     
  10. greg328

    greg328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 17, 2003
    4,209
    Austin, TX USA
    Full Name:
    Greg
    #10 greg328, Jun 19, 2006
    I just ordered the 2.5 turn quick rack from Superformance for my 77 308.

    Does anybody have any experience with this rack? I'm hoping for a livelier
    response, as opposed the the lethargic OE steering.

    I know I won't decrease the huge turning radius, but at least I'll get to it quicker!!

    Greg
     
  11. bill308

    bill308 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    May 13, 2001
    1,225
    Windsor, CT
    Full Name:
    Bill Sebestyen
    #11 bill308, Jun 19, 2006
    Greg,

    You'll probably also develope Popeye forearms from the increased steering effort. Let us know how it turns out.

    Bill
     
  12. greg328

    greg328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 17, 2003
    4,209
    Austin, TX USA
    Full Name:
    Greg
    #12 greg328, Jun 20, 2006
    I already have 'em, from driving around w/ the stock steering!

    I'll post my findings..

    Greg
     
  13. ferrarifixer

    ferrarifixer F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Jul 22, 2003
    8,520
    Melbourne
    Full Name:
    Phil Hughes
    #13 ferrarifixer, Jun 20, 2006
    Dunno if it's just a bad photo or what... but that pick up clevis looks bent to me....(last picture posted)
     
  14. jwise

    jwise Formula Junior

    Apr 2, 2003
    781
    Portland Maine
    #14 jwise, Jun 20, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017

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