Mercury Capri steering rack for 308? | FerrariChat
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Mercury Capri steering rack for 308?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by jungathart, May 17, 2005.

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  1. jungathart

    jungathart Guest

    Jun 11, 2004
    3,376
    NoVA, AmeriKa
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    Komrade Jung
    #1 jungathart, May 17, 2005
    Hi, just did an archive search and found one mention of the Capri using the same steering rack as the 3X8/Mondial types. Has anyone confirmed this personally? If not, then I will do this and potentially open a huge door for many of us!
     
  2. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    36,585
    Birmingham, AL
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    Tommy
    #2 Dr Tommy Cosgrove, May 18, 2005
    Would they be any less expensive then the rebuilt units from T. Rutlands?
     
  3. matteo

    matteo F1 World Champ

    Aug 1, 2002
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    On a plane somewhere
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    Heir Butt
    #3 matteo, May 18, 2005
    I thought it was a mini cooper?
     
  4. pcelenta

    pcelenta Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
    216
    #4 pcelenta, May 18, 2005
    mini cooper? no wonder why it wears out so quickly! I bought mine from a place in South Carolina that advertises in hemmings...it wasn't that bad price wise.
     
  5. sparta49

    sparta49 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Mar 3, 2001
    7,804
    LA
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    Frank
    #5 sparta49, May 18, 2005
    I sent mine to a place in S. Carolina that rebulit it for around $150.00 my only complaint was they painted the whole thing black
     
  6. lusso64

    lusso64 Formula 3

    Apr 12, 2004
    1,535
    Simi Valley
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    David
    #6 lusso64, May 18, 2005
    The 308 rack is indeed the same as a Ford Capri - but it is the late 60's/early 70's Capri from the UK.

    NOT the Mercury Crapi. As loathe as I am to admit it, this more modern piece of crud was built in Australia on a Mazda 323 platform.

    The manufacturer is, I believe, a company called Camgears. One of the few parts in a 308 that have imperial, not metric, nuts/bolts and things.

    Dave
     
  7. jungathart

    jungathart Guest

    Jun 11, 2004
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    Komrade Jung
    #7 jungathart, May 18, 2005
    Just to update: I spoke to a source for rebuilt racks of all kinds and was told with much finality that the UK Capri rack won't work. I was also told that the Mercury Capri is different. I ended up with a "Pantera" rack, which many of you already know IS interchangeable. I paid $350 with only a 150 core charge. I thank you for the info regarding places where I can send my rack to be rebuilt for less, but I wanted to minimize down time.
    If this rack looks and works well I would like to mention the name of the business as a personal endorsement.
     
  8. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    36,585
    Birmingham, AL
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    Tommy
    #8 Dr Tommy Cosgrove, May 18, 2005
    What color should it be? I think mine is crimson ;-)
     
  9. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
    Little Rock
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    David Jones
    #9 Dave, May 19, 2005
    The steering rack from a 308 is very easy to rebuild, for just a few bucks.
    The hardest part of the job is removing it from the car.
     
  10. Motob

    Motob Formula 3
    Professional Ferrari Technician

    Nov 11, 2003
    2,389
    Frederick, Maryland
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    Brian Brown
    #10 Motob, May 19, 2005
    The 308 rack which is manufactured by Cam Gears LTD, is the same as a Pantera rack. The right side bushing is made of plastic which tends to wear and break up, causing excessive play.

    A couple of aftermarket Pantera parts places sell replacement bronze bushings that replace the plastic one. See: http://www.panteraparts.com/ look under the parts kits section.

    See:http://www.panteraplace.com/page76.htm for a complete rebuiild.

    One of our members also has good photos of a rack rebuild: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/[email protected]/album?.dir=c683&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/[email protected]/my_photos

    Brian
     
  11. jungathart

    jungathart Guest

    Jun 11, 2004
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    Komrade Jung
    #11 jungathart, May 19, 2005
    Hi, forgive the ignorant question, but is it dicey to drive the car: with it's left inner rod showing a little play?
     
  12. Philjay50

    Philjay50 Formula Junior

    Jan 16, 2003
    595
    Chester, England
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    Philip
    #12 Philjay50, May 19, 2005
    While on the subject of steering bits, The steering column on my 84 Mon has a UJ unit, are there any sources for these, or parts available to repair !
     
  13. LSU348

    LSU348 Formula 3

    Dec 19, 2003
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    Mike
    #13 LSU348, May 19, 2005
    Purple and gold Dock...purple and gold!!!!

     
  14. jungathart

    jungathart Guest

    Jun 11, 2004
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    #14 jungathart, May 19, 2005
    Philip,
    try T.Rutlands in Atlanta, USA :800-638-1444
    Regards
     
  15. geekstreet

    geekstreet Karting

    Feb 7, 2005
    220
    Sydney
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    Cam
    #15 geekstreet, May 19, 2005
    Make sure you're sitting down when you get the quote - they are super expensive! Some time ago someone posted details about finding an off-shelf replacement for the inner spider-bearing unit, but they never posted brand or part numbers, unfortunately. I PMed but no joy, unfortunately.
     
  16. Philjay50

    Philjay50 Formula Junior

    Jan 16, 2003
    595
    Chester, England
    Full Name:
    Philip
    #16 Philjay50, May 20, 2005
    There are few engineering firms around here that do work for car outfits, so I may well hawk around them and see what they can do !!
     

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