Steering rack and general USA grump

[VetteG]

Hi guys,
I have an after market rack & pinion steering rack on my Corvette and despite it being less than 20k miles from new feels like a bag of old bolts. Does anyone know someone who could take on the refurb of this rack. The original sellers sell the kit which includes a bought in rack, but they wont say whose rack it is therefore getting spares is difficult.

It says a lot for the much vaunted (on American forums) made in America theme that I also have an alleged top quality 'aluminum' radiator from a similar high quality source that was also new at the same time has decided to leak!

G

[Allandwf]

Well you will change things ;-)
Once went for seals at Vauxhall garage, ordered up no probs, few days later arrived, on packaging was description and " Corvette 1954 to date" !! That was in the 90's.
Sorry not much help.

[Sandy59]

There's a few companies down south that will probably be able to do it. I wouldn't recommend this one though -http://www.carparts-direct.co.uk/parts-catalogue/steering-racks - they talk a good job but that's about it !!
As I say there seems to be a few others out there, and they will arrange collection and return within a few days.
Good luck.

[bigblock]

Hi, before you start looking to get the rack refurbished you could try a couple of things.

1.) Check that the pinch bolt attaching the steering shaft to the rack is tight, this can slacken off over time especialy if it was not torqued up properly.

2.) You can adjust the gear rack bearing pre-load, this will take out any of the slack as the rack begins to wear and the steering gets a bit clunky.

I am not an expert on Corvettes but I do have a bit of experience with 40 year old steering racks

Regarding your radiator, I have always received excellent service from these guys.They rebuilt my radiator and oil cooler 10 years ago and they are still in perfect condition.
http://www.serckservicesmotorsport.co.uk/

[VetteG]

Hi Bigblock, both your recommendations have already been tried, I'm afraid. so it's a rack out job.
The radiator is not a big problem, just a pain in the ass to do.

G

[tvrolet]

Like my proudly made in the USA canton oil pan, that cracked up. How do you get cracks in a sheet-metal welded-up oil pan unless there are stesses in the pan in the first place? Bought new one - same model as it's the only trapdoor sump that will fit in the chassis and spent all of last weekend fitting it as it's an engine-out job. Put it all back together and something's fouling this one when the motor turns over - probably an end-cap bolt. So much for accurate engineering. Have to take the motor out again this weekend and modify the pan