308 Steering rack headache

I am in the process of fixing the steering rack in my 1980 308 GTSi I was wondering if there is anyone who knows if the rack is made by Ferrari or Fiat. I was also going to address the bushings in the rack is there somewhere that these bushings are available? It is our belief that the bushings are failing I think they need to be replaced.

 

Most likely...try a 'search' as they are commonly rebuilt and original plastic bushings replaced with something more robust....

That ane the mounting bushings of the rack itself can result in a new car feel!

 

[email protected]
1007 Pireway Road, Tabor City, North Carolina, 28463.
Try contacting them with regard to rebuilt steering racks, exchange.

 

Something that might be of interest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMMju5OSn7s

Don't know of any source for the bushes, sorry. Shouldn't be too difficult to make in teflon or nylon though.

 

I appreciate all of your help thanks!

 

I was ehading down the post to add this myself too....... Beat me to it. Great video.

 

There sure didn't seem like there was that much thread engagement between the tie rod and the tie rod end. Is this normal?

 

For volumes of information on this subject, search threads that I have written on racks or suspension overhauls.

If you really want your rack rebuilt to much better than "Factory specs", PM jh355. Without a doubt, he is the best there is on rebuilding these racks!!!! On the other hand, if you want to rebuild your rack in another 1,000 miles, send it to Atlantic Enterprises, for a quick bushing and spray paint job. These guys are good for British cars and John Deere tractors, at best.

There's far more to rebuild these rack then just installing a new end bushing...and as mentioned earlier, more than half the time, loosey-goosey steering can be attributed to the long past worn out original steering rack mounts and ....(clapped out control arm bushings.)


David

 

They charged me about $165, around 5 or 6 years ago. Did great work.

 

Rutlands usually has them in stock on an exchange basis. I picked up one from them last Apr and had it put in last month.

A BIG difference. I knew mine was worn out but I had no idea...

 

As I understand it the R & P is based on Morris 850 but with a longer rack made by Ferrari

 

I took my rack out last month.

It's made by Cam Gears.

 

http://www.montehospital.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=246&zenid=2b2fd07443e78a9016f897f3768447b5

Does your offside bushing look like the one on the above page?
They do on my RHD Mondial QV, and the rack was apparently made by TRW.

 

http://www.montehospital.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=246&zenid=2b2fd07443e78a9016f897f3768447b5

try this i've read it once here on the board and i tent to keep info like this on a save place for any future reference,.

As i recall the thread the guy used thes for his 308 and they worked great.

goodluck!

 

jh355 has rebuild kits for both. Bought mine through him off this site.

 

just a reminder to anyone thinking about the superformance rack: the complete rack is NOT a quick ratio like their rack and pinion only set:

http://www.superformance.co.uk/a-308/steering.htm

I had this put in my QV a few weeks ago and was dissapointed to find the same 3.5 turns lock to lock as the original.
Feels reasonably tight, but I'm pretty dissapointed since it's not clear on the website that the ratio is the same as stock. I even exchanged emails SF and called it a "quick ratio" rack without any correction from them....
Anyway, have to decide now whether to go ahead and dump another $350 into 'rebuilding' the new one with quick ratio internals or not.
Kurt