Steering rack brackets

[vixen]

I bought two new Triumph steering rack brackets with new U clamps.
I noticed on my old brackets that the U clamps are welded to the steeringrack brackets.
Any Idea why TVR welded these clamps to the brackets (on Triumph cars they aren't welded together)?

[adrian@]

The TVR's were welded because the spreader system that expands the brackets on a Triumph (specail tool S341) did not fit in between the clamps because the chassis got in the way. IF you take an original clamp set and rack off the car YOU WILL find a silver of U shaped rubber AS WELL as the 2 rubber rack mount bushes. IF YOU are fitting standard clamps and either standard or poly you will nedd to replicate the U shaped piece of rubber or the rack will shunt right and left and the steering will be vauge. Rather than that I would advise a set of alloy rack mounts (21.50UKP) as a much more desirable way of hold the rack in place.
Adrian@

Edited by adrian@ on Friday 2nd March 19:34

[vixen]

Thanks Adrian,
I took the steeringrack of my Vixen and there were the two brackets with the rubber
bushes and under each bracket was a steel plate(this plate is between the
chassis and the bracket the U clamp goes through this plate}.
I have found no futher parts and I am sure there was no steering rack movement before.

I do not really understand what the part is that you describe...

[adrian@]

Hi Eric, This is because as I say, the extra piece of rubber hand cut by the skilled craftsman at the factory, would of been thrown away by first person that sees it ...thinking 'some bodger has put an extra piece of rubber in here'. What I am talking about is a upside down U shape that would be cut from 1/4 rubber and fitted between the passenger side clamp and rubber TO ADD compression when the clamps have been tightened INSTEAD of using the special tool that Triumph used. (If I could add pictures I would) Adrian@

[vixen]

Thanks Adrian!!