Anyone got a rack?

[Toby Tram]

Hi All

I've had a manic Autumn with work. But having finally finished for Christmas and having got the main festivities out of the way I have now had a chance to check out the Wedges steering rack.

I've been thinking for a while that the seals at the ends of the rack may have been letting fluid past and I made that my first job to check when I got a chance. Low and behold (said that a few times over the last week!!) it's leaking. So I need a new rack.

I've looked on that well known auction site, but nothing's available at the moment. I wondered if anyone had one they would be happy to sell. The car's a '89 350i which I believe makes the rack Mk4 Cortina (correct me if I'm wrong). I have also looked around to see if I could find anywhere to buy a reconditioned one but I'm struggling there.

Whilst I was check out the rack I also noticed that one of the drop links has sheared at the thread. So I also need to source a pair of those. I was thinking about going for the Steve Heath rose joint type. Any thoughts on that. I seem to recall people say that they have a habit of shearing offf also but wondered whether people just regarded them as consumable!

Hope everyone is having a great break.

Cheers

Adi

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Mate..You may well have the Supra/TVR Engineering steering rack which means you have more chance of finding the holy grail then a replacement..Even Cortina mk4-5 racks are like rocking horse doo doo...Probably best if its refurbed..Might as well replace the track rod ends as well..Cheers...Ziga

Note to self...Mine needs doing as well.

[Toby Tram]

Thanks Zig

Are you aware of any potential pitfalls with having it refurbished? I can undoubtedly find a place relatively locally but I obviously don't want to pay a fortune and I want it done properly.

....and yes, I'll be doing the track rod ends as well. No point in doing half a job. It's a TVR and therefore deserves the best!!

Cheers

Adi

[mrzigazaga]

Not sure if there will be any pitfalls..I had mine done on the 280i last year, That was a Cortina power rack..It cost me 170 sobs to have it refurbed, I believe the seals had failed so it wasn't in need of internals but i should imagine a good hydraulic engineering firm shouldn't have a problem..Worth asking any before you take it off...

I found these guys but can't comment as i have never used them but they seem to have branches everywhere...

http://www.google.co.uk/aclk?sa=l&ai=C4IkN-q-9...

[superwedge]

your one will look like this,same as my 89 wedge,

[Colin RedGriff]

These guys have a very good reputation in the Griff/Chim forums for fixing racks.

Kiley Clinton

http://www.steering-racks.co.uk/

[Number 7]

Can't help with the rack, but I will say that I fitted the SH drop links maybe 4 / 5 years ago, and apart from one slackening off once, they're fine, and that includes some track use. You need to follow the instructions carefully regarding alignment though.

[Toby Tram]

superwedge said:

your one will look like this,same as my 89 wedge,

Yes, my rack looks like that. Is that the Supra rack or the Ford?

A.

[Toby Tram]

Colin RedGriff said:

These guys have a very good reputation in the Griff/Chim forums for fixing racks.

Kiley Clinton

http://www.steering-racks.co.uk/

Thanks for that. I'll give them a call. Also found http://www.power-steering.co.uk/

Hoping I can get it done quickly and easily!


A.

[hallsie]

Check the classifieds or give me a shout.


Stu

[Wedg1e]

Toby Tram said:

Yes, my rack looks like that. Is that the Supra rack or the Ford?

A.

Must be the Supra 'cos it's not the Ford

[Hedgehopper]

Hope nobody minds if I add this question to the thread.

Does anyone recognize this rack? In these pics. it's fitted to a Griff, but what TVR was it really intended for? Would like to sell it but don't know what to advertise it as.

[superwedge]

its a supra rack,

[mrzigazaga]

Here is some info but it could be a TVR engineering special....Ziga

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&...

[Yatesy350i]

superwedge said:

its a supra rack,

Excuses my ignorance but I'm interested in retrofitting my car at some point with PS.

When you say Supra rack. Is this as in Toyota Supra or is it a company name?

Sorry if this is a daft question

Karl.

[superwedge]

no its just a company name,lots off people that it came from the car,but its not,i think the early cars up 88-89 had old cortina racks from p/s and non p/s cars,m4/m5

Edited by superwedge on Saturday 28th December 17:44

[Toby Tram]

superwedge said:

no its just a company name,lots off people that it came from the car,but its not,i think the early cars up 88-89 had old cortina racks from p/s and non p/s cars,m4/m5

Edited by superwedge on Saturday 28th December 17:44

That's interesting. I must admit that I had assumed it would be Toyota Supra although thought it strange that TVR would be using a Japanese rack back in the 80's.

I've learnt something new today.

Was the rack used elsewhere?

I must say it's very frustrating having the holiday time with so many places closed for Christmas. I just want to get on with it!!!!!!

A

[Trickie Dickie]

Hi Adrian

I am sure I had the rack refurbed soon after I got it in 2004?
and I am sure it didn't cost too much (or I would remember as a Yorkshireman!!!)

Obviously this was done somewhere close to my mechanic at that time in Leeds
but sorry I don't know where.

All the best and good luck with this

Cheers
Trickie

[Toby Tram]

Trickie Dickie said:

Hi Adrian

I am sure I had the rack refurbed soon after I got it in 2004?
and I am sure it didn't cost too much (or I would remember as a Yorkshireman!!!)

Obviously this was done somewhere close to my mechanic at that time in Leeds
but sorry I don't know where.

All the best and good luck with this

Cheers
Trickie

Thanks Trickie

That's the advantage you have living in or near a big city like Leeds.

The nearest city of any size down here is Guildford or maybe Brighton. I have a couple of places to contact though so I shall make time in the New Year to do so. Shame really because the weather is fantastic here today and I could have taken the car out. But nevermind!!

Cheers

A.

[Toby Tram]

Anyone had cause to deal with these people http://www.power-steering.co.uk/ ?

I sent them an email on Saturday and the guy phoned me up today.

The deal is £130+vat for a strip down, replace seals (as necessary, I think), rebuild and test on a rig. I will have to organise getting the rack to them and they will return it for £10 (+vat, I assume).

Sounds like a reasonable price as it can't take that long to strip down if you have all the kit. They also have to cover the cost of premises and equipment. They're only supplying a handful of parts which can't amount to much.

A.