Removing Steering Rack Bushings on Early Style 308 GT4/246/365BB Bracket | FerrariChat
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Removing Steering Rack Bushings on Early Style 308 GT4/246/365BB Bracket

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by robertgarven, May 25, 2013.

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  1. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran
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    Feb 24, 2002
    5,322
    Ventura, California
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    Robert Garven
    #1 robertgarven, May 25, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Friends,

    I am trying to remove the steering rack bracket bushings on an early 308 GT4. This is the same bracket as on the 206, 246 and 365BB so I wanted to post this here.

    All that I could get out was the rubber. If I knew how tough it was I would have not touched it, as the rubber seemed pretty resilient. The snap rings came out easily but the bushing even after soaking and some heat stayed put. The design does not give much help for removal, only installation. I tried to press them out but only the rubber and the inner bushing came out. Have any of you ever taken these out and or can you give some advice.

    In the PDF the part is #24. They are pressed in from the back and have a snap ring holding them in place, but the front has a lip that is smaller in diameter and holds them in.

    Thanks in advance for any advice, there is not much room for error here....

    Rob
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  2. sowest

    sowest Formula Junior

    Aug 18, 2006
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    #2 sowest, May 25, 2013
    This does ring a bell. It was a long time ago, but I remember the situation. I took the pieces to a friend that was an experienced welder. He used a small diameter rod and laid down a short bead on opposite sides of the steel bushing. The weld bead had the effect of shrinking the bushing and giving a surface to drive the bushing out with a small, rounded chisel. They came out easily and cleanly.
     
  3. Pantdino

    Pantdino Formula 3

    Jan 13, 2004
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    Jim
    #3 Pantdino, May 25, 2013
    I have a friend with a lathe who machined nylon with the proper stepped ODs to fit in the space you see. Basically he machined nylon bushings for me to use instead of the rubber ones the factory used.

    I don't recall having much rubber stuck to the metal, but you'll need to take that off with a Dremel tool or file.

    I don't know why anyone would want rubber in the steering rack mounts on a sportscar.
     
  4. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran
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    #4 robertgarven, May 25, 2013
    Do you remember did he tig, mig or just weld the bar to the sleeve?

    Thanks

    Rob

     
  5. Peter

    Peter F1 Veteran
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    Dec 21, 2000
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    #5 Peter, May 26, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I sent you these pics before Rob, but along the lines of sowest did above, I welded steel bars with washers tack welded to the ends and tack welded those to the sleeves. They then pushed out easily.

    Although what I've also used at work to remove broken pipe-thread nipples are these cool tools. They work really well (if you use them correctly. Read my comments below the link):

    Brass Craft | Brasscraft Internal Pipe Wrench Set (3 Sizes) | Home Depot Canada

    Some of the reviews on this site have guys who complained about it, but I do find you need to spin the tool pretty fast in the bore, so that the "gripper" swings out and really bites into the piece. Nothing that can't be accomplished by hand though and when it bites, they bite.
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  6. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran
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    Feb 24, 2002
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    Robert Garven
    #6 robertgarven, May 26, 2013
    Peter,

    Will the small one fir in this size bushing, they dont have diameter sizes on the link?

    Thanks

    Rob
     
  7. sowest

    sowest Formula Junior

    Aug 18, 2006
    899
    #7 sowest, May 26, 2013
    Hi Robert

    He just used plain 'ole stick. There is little room to work on the ID of the steel sleeve. He used a small diameter rod with a little bend at the end. He did not weld another piece onto the sleeve. He simply laid down short beads. I drove out the sleeve with a small, sharp, rounded (caping?) chisel directly on the weld beads.

     
  8. Peter

    Peter F1 Veteran
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    Dec 21, 2000
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    #8 Peter, May 27, 2013
    The kit comes with three sizes that fit 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4" NPT fittings. I believe the 3/8" NPT tool would comfortably fit in the sleeve.

    Keep in mind, these tools are meant for threaded fittings, but this is just a sleeve. You'll have to try to turn AND pull (or push) in order to get the sleeve out.
     

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