90 se steering rack-help please

[ragingfool]

i need to chase the threads on the rack itself (where the collars hold the tie rod ball ends)
does anyone know what thread that is?
thanks
chris
90SE

[ragingfool]

FYI
looks like M22x1.25
chris

[dr.hess]

An inexpensive set of metric taps & dies from Harbor Freight comes with a thread pitch guage and is very handy. Add in a $15 caliper and you are set.

Dr.Hess

[ragingfool]

hey Dr. Hess
thanks for replying
I ordered such a set this morning for mytoolstore.com
the machine shop at work had everything but the darn die! that size is hard to find
ragingfool

[Dr.Hess]

My favorite source for hard to find taps/dies is in Houston. Their name escapes me at the moment, but they are an industrial supplier and have great prices. If you can't find one elsewhere, let me know and when I get home I'll look at their catalog.

Dr.Hess

[dr.hess]

www.rex-supply.com/home/home.asp

Go to
www.rex-supply.com/customerService/requestCatalog.asp

and request a catalog. 1.75" thick and packed with stuff.

Dr.Hess

[ragingfool]

the catalog is on its way. I tried MSC and several other tooling supply houses and nada. we'll try this one.
thanks
ragaingfool

[dr.hess]

You sure of that thread pitch? Check it on a tread pitch guage? Check the OD with a caliper? I don't see anything in 1.25 bigger than 14mm. There is a 22mm x 1.50 TP rethreading hex die for $11.90.

If it is that odd ball, then what you need is a thread restoring tool. Part number FB80-NES1, $29.95. one size fits all.

Dr.Hess

[ragingfool]

yep. caliper shows major dia 22.00 mm
thread gauge 1.25
no mistake

[Esprit2]

For what it's worth

Standard Metric Thread Sizes

Thread/Tap .. Tap Drill Size
M22 x 2.5 ... 19.5 mm = 0.7677 inch
M22 x 2.0 ... 20.0 mm = 0.7874 inch
M22 x 1.5 ... 20.5 mm = 0.8070 inch
M22 x 1.0 ... 21.0 mm = 0.8267 inch

Regards,
Tim Engel
Lotus Owners Oftha North

[Dr.Hess]

Are you sure it isn't 7/8" x 20?

Dr.Hess

[ragingfool]

can't be sure of anything now 'cause it's back in the car.
however, other than the above measurements fitting perfectly, everything on the car is metric. why would the English use an english measurement there?
thanks
ragingfool

[dr.hess]

Lotus has a history of using Triumph parts, such as the front upper ball joint on our cars for instance. There are many other examples. A Spitfire rack is rumored to be 7/8 x 20.

Dr.Hess

[ragingfool]

hmmm....
i did notice that the outside door handle was the same on my TR7
i need the little rubber bump stop that the door operator rest against, but my tr7 catalogs only show the whole assembly. any ideas?
you could be right about the threads, but hopefully i'll never have to know...i cleaned them up using a very small triangular file and finished the rack project.
thanks
ragingfool