Steering rack wanted? | FerrariChat

Steering rack wanted?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by adesalos, Mar 4, 2004.

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  1. adesalos

    adesalos Karting

    Mar 19, 2003
    245
    Texas
    I am in the process of rebuilding brakes, suspensions, carbs, distributors and others as needed on my 79 308.
    Apparently I need a new steering rack. Any thoughts on price and where to buy it (new or used)?
     
  2. rivee

    rivee F1 Rookie

    Jan 20, 2002
    3,731
    Nowhere important, USA
    Full Name:
    John
    Superformance of the UK advertises the "quick" steering rack for the 308. It turns 2.5 turns from end to end. But they have been out of stock for a while now. Don't know when they are supposed to get some in
     
  3. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2003
    17,564
    Savannah
    ferrari uk??? sodacoms??? t rutlands???? check the thread about the Mondail with the dead power rack set up, maybe you will find some leads. may i ask how many miles are on your car, or is it an age issue??? thanks, michael
     
  4. ChrisfromRI

    ChrisfromRI Karting

    Jan 28, 2003
    230
    Foster, RI
    Full Name:
    Chris F
    I've been bugging Superformance for about a year for a LHD 2.5 turn rack, but they don't have any -- it would be good if someone else would ask too...

    Kind Regards, Chris

    PS: The stock rack is 3.3 turns, and 2.5 is very nice!
     
  5. adesalos

    adesalos Karting

    Mar 19, 2003
    245
    Texas
    bought the car 6 months ago. I have now 41k miles on it.
    I am an anal perfectionnist, and I started to change few needed things, which then got bigger bigger and bigger. Now apart from the leather (that I may change or at least have restored professionnaly) everything that is not new or in perfect condition will be worked on.

    I guess I don't know the bottom of this, but once you start can't stop!...
     
  6. DEMETRE GOUDAS

    Nov 10, 2003
    13
    What makes u think that u need a new rack? anyway NORWOOD rebuilts them for $ 250. U can try under the search section and type "steering rack".There is some great info on even how to do it yourself. chances are that the only parts u will need are the tire rod ends boots and 1 bushing on the R.H side available from NORWOOD for $40. that's
    what i'm doing
     
  7. 308GTS

    308GTS Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2001
    2,223
    TN
    I just sold an OEM new rack for $450. You won't find one for that price so you might as well rebuild it. Some rebuilds are ok but sometimes they are not.
     
  8. ham308

    ham308 Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    358
    NE Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Richard Ham
    Glad to hear you can get this R H bush. It seems to be very common for it to wear.

    Any one know why it's always the RH side that goes?? You'd think they'd be loaded equally.
     
  9. ChrisfromRI

    ChrisfromRI Karting

    Jan 28, 2003
    230
    Foster, RI
    Full Name:
    Chris F
    Probably the same reason everything else on that side suffers: storm drains, pot holes, road debris, rumble strips, etc.

    80 percent of the flat tires I have had were right front too.

    Kind Regards, Chris
     
  10. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    17,913
    USA
    I got the same word on rebuilds, some are good, some not, and it was best to go new. A new one from Ferrari UK (for a 328) was $800 delivered (two days) and included new boots and tie rod ends. This was half what was quoted me by several sources here in the USA, not including shipping or taxes, so I, obviously, went Ferrari UK.
     
  11. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
    Little Rock
    Full Name:
    David Jones
    "Apparently I need a new steering rack"

    Is it leaking, or binding, or?

    I'm not trying to tell you that you don't need one,
    Just wondering what went bad on it...

    I rebuilt the steering rack in my 77 308gtb myself.
    It was still in working condition, although dirty as sin when I removed it.
    I had purchased a quick steer kit from superformance years back
    and finally got around to installing it during my front end rebuild.
     
  12. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
    Little Rock
    Full Name:
    David Jones
    New Gaiters...
     
  13. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
    Little Rock
    Full Name:
    David Jones
    New rod ends...
     
  14. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
    Little Rock
    Full Name:
    David Jones
    2.5 turns
     
  15. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
    Little Rock
    Full Name:
    David Jones
    Rack after I rebuilt it...
     
  16. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    17,913
    USA
    Nice Dave! BTW, can you show what this bushing looks like? The one that apparently fails and causes all the problems with "looseness" or play in the steering?

    Thanks
     
  17. CarlH

    CarlH Karting

    Feb 5, 2004
    81
    MD
    Full Name:
    Carl H.
    Demetre,
    I also have the common right side bushing issue on my 83 308. Please let us know how your repairs work out. I will likely try the same.
    Carl
     
  18. dwil

    dwil Karting

    Nov 8, 2003
    114
    ozarks
    Full Name:
    Dave Wilson
    I have been considering rebuilding my rack, too. In the old
    FC site there is mention of a fiat bushing that will replace the
    rh bushing. Has anyone else tried this?
    Dave, your posts are great! Its also good to see a fellow
    arkansan here.
    Dave W.
     
  19. DEMETRE GOUDAS

    Nov 10, 2003
    13
    I do not understand what a bad rebuilt can be. this rack has ONLY one bushing available from NORWOOD a sponsor on this site for $ 40.The drivers side has ametal piston and the pinion gear. A rack has to have been abused or used dry in order to bad and i m sure that one could see that upon taking one apart.DAVE has done a GREAT JOB on posting pictures several times.THANKS DAVE. I could not tell if he replaced the bushing and pinion seal and O-RING . MY opinion : it's harder to get the rack out than to rebuilt it. If one is still scared there are several places that will do itfor $250-$450.
     
  20. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
    Little Rock
    Full Name:
    David Jones
    The Norwood bushing would be a good option if you need to replace the bushing in your steering rack...

    As Demetre points out, it is probably harder to remove the steering rack
    than it is to rebuild it.
    But if your time, tools, or mechanical ability aren't up to the challenge,
    then there are a few places that offer new or rebuilt steering racks on the internet... Do a Google search.

    The bushing and pinion seal in my unit were OK,
    and if I remember right I installed a new O-ring.
    Looking back, I probably should have installed a new bushing while I had the rack apart, but what do they say about hindsight...
    Dave, what part of the Ozarks do you hale from?
     
  21. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
    Little Rock
    Full Name:
    David Jones
    More...
     
  22. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
    Little Rock
    Full Name:
    David Jones
    more...
     
  23. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2003
    17,564
    Savannah
    DAVE , man you are my ferrari-mechanic hero... i mean that in a good way !!! hell we will be able to build a whole car with your threads, i hope Rob gives you a free life membership or something because your threads / posts ROCK!!! i love this stuff. somebody put it together , therfore someone can take it apart and fix it or remove and replace it. no need to be scared !!!! thanks DAVE !!!! michael
     
  24. dwil

    dwil Karting

    Nov 8, 2003
    114
    ozarks
    Full Name:
    Dave Wilson
    Dave,
    I really appreciate all the pics and info you are posting
    as my 308 will be needing similar work. It seems to make
    a lot of sense (if anything about an F car does) that is
    why buy some new or rebuilt rack when it could be
    upgraded to fast steering for about the same price.
    I would like to hear your thoughts about the fast steer
    in the way it changes the way the car drives.
    BTW, I live in nw AR close to Eureka Springs.
    Dave
     
  25. Ferrari_co_uk

    Ferrari_co_uk Karting

    Apr 16, 2003
    245
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    Mark Langfield
    Hi Guys,

    Sorry no stock of this rack, and it is now listed as no longer available.
    We have plenty of track rod joints and gaiters in stock.

    #149199 - Track Rod Joint - GBP £16.05 each
    #95860403 - Gaiter - GBP £2.95 each

    Best
    Mark
     

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