Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps

Topic: Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps (Read 9171 times) previous topic - next topic

Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps

Reply #15 – January 05, 2011, 12:31:18 PM

it did, thank you very much. I've got a game plan now...just need to hit the lottery or knock off a bank, lol

Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps

Reply #16 – January 05, 2011, 01:03:41 PM

I would check to see if you actually needed to replace the tie rods to accommodate toe adjustment. On my '83, with 94-95 spindles and a Fox rack, I had plenty of adjustment in the Fox tie rods. I may eventually upgrade to an SN-95 rack, but not until this one dies. On the old '80 XR-7 (the white one), I did the same thing when I installed the 94-95 spindles. I still had plenty of engagement of the Fox tie rods.

On the track width (ball joint-to-ball joint), the 83-86 and 87-88 cars are pretty close, so as to not be an issue really. The 87-88 arms are longer, but due to the angle of their mounting, and the relocation of the inner mounting points, the end result is negligible.

IIRC, I think Jeremy B also looked at the Taurus outer tie rods, as they had the same metric thread as the SN-95's. There was a length issue I think, with the SN-95 outer tie rods being too long. It's been a bit since I looked at it.

Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps

Reply #17 – January 05, 2011, 03:46:37 PM

Chuck,

Thanks for the clarification I knew someone would know/remember that. I have heard of guys using the 1993 Taurus outer tie-rod ends and they work fine. From what I have read most have had to anywhere from 1/2" to 1" off of the threads on the SN95 inner tie-rod to bring the toe in enough for alignment. Not a big deal just remember to put the jam nut on first so after you cut off the desired length the jam nut can be removed to help clean up the threads. Typically they cut them off with an air grinder and a cutting wheel. Then gently put a chamfer on the end of the threads so the outer tie-rod will thread up easier.

I also remembered one other thing. If you are going to reuse your existing power steering lines be sure to get new teflon seals as it will surely leak if you do not replace them.

Darren

Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps

Reply #18 – February 21, 2011, 10:13:18 PM

OK guys, I ended up going the stock equipment/cheap route by buying all my stuff at Advance Auto. I priced around and they were competitive price wise and I assume will be similar quality to Autozone, NAPA, etc...the manager knows my Dad so I try to give him the business. It would have been cool to go with something more trick, but the quicker ratio stuff will be better than what I have now anyway.

I bought the following:
1.)Fenco steering rack (for a sport)
2.)Fenco PS pump (for a sport)
3.) Monroe upper strut mounts
4.) High-press PS hose.

I still need to go back and get the rack-pinion bushings and the return hose. Anything else you guys can think of that I might as well replace while I'm in there? The tie rods seemed to be in amazingly good shape last time I checked them out...but as cheap as they are (like $15) I'm considering getting them as well.

I'm itchin' to turn some wrenches on the car! Its been a long winter staring at the car sitting idle in the garage. My uncle is volunteering up his nice heated garage to do the project in. He is going to be my co-pilot on Power Tour and will be helping me so that he will have some "sweat equity" in the car so as to earn his seat. lol...

Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps

Reply #19 – February 22, 2011, 11:58:13 AM

Let me know your driving impressions when you get it done. I need to do this soon also.

Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps

Reply #20 – February 22, 2011, 04:29:02 PM

Quote from: mcb82gt;353606

Let me know your driving impressions when you get it done. I need to do this soon also.

Will do! I am hoping it will drive like new again (or better). With 180k+ there is probably more wear and tear than I realize.

Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps

Reply #21 – March 03, 2011, 11:17:50 AM

The project begins tonight and will hopefully be finished up by Sunday...driving impressions soon to come.

Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps

Reply #22 – March 03, 2011, 04:22:39 PM

Sweet..

Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps

Reply #23 – March 03, 2011, 09:23:31 PM

Got the rack dropped out tonight. I didnt realize it takes a "special tool" to remove the PS pump pulley so I will need to procure one of those before I work on it again Saturday. I did go ahead and order new inner and outer tie rod ends for it as well. Hopefully it will drive nice when finished up!

Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps

Reply #24 – March 03, 2011, 09:50:00 PM

I think AZ loans those tools.

Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps

Reply #25 – March 03, 2011, 10:32:32 PM

Quote from: 50tbrd88;354473

Got the rack dropped out tonight. I didnt realize it takes a "special tool" to remove the PS pump pulley so I will need to procure one of those before I work on it again Saturday. I did go ahead and order new inner and outer tie rod ends for it as well. Hopefully it will drive nice when finished up!

Congrtas on your progress so far :)

I thought reman racks came with inner tie rods already installed though

Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps

Reply #26 – March 04, 2011, 08:48:35 AM

Quote from: hypostang;354480

I thought reman racks came with inner tie rods already installed though

X2 Thats what I thought.

Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps

Reply #27 – March 04, 2011, 09:06:47 AM

Yeah they do...not sure why I typed that.

I have new outers coming. Figure w/the miles while I have it out I may as well put on new ones...they were cheap, like $12/ea or something.

Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps

Reply #28 – March 04, 2011, 09:34:55 AM

Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;347947

Yeah, make sure you spec out a pump for the higher ratio rack...if you have a V8, one for a Fox 5.0 Stang will work, or an '88 Sport, etc.

Using the low pressure pump with the 15:1 rack=bad. ChuckW will verify this, as well as some others.

The quicker ratio rack is definitely worlds better than the 18:1 (i think it's 18:1..) unit...night and day difference. I almost feel mine is too twitchy, but of course I still need an alignment...not that that causes any problems, car doesn't run with the engine gone lol

I hear this alot. I did the upgraded rack with the non-sport pump and have never had any problems. I drive it like a beast too and it works great. I still wish there was a way to increase the turning effort as both racks feel like turning a rudder on a boat. My Jetta takes a little more arm effort but gives me much more road feel. I prefer manual steering. I have them in both my 84 rabbit vert and my 67 mustang.

P.S., Changing the rack in with the engine in the car was about the most frustrating thing I've ever done. Definitely, jack the engine off the mounts. I had a hell of a time trying to seat the rack onto the posts that jut out of the sub-frame.

Steering Racks and Power Steering Pumps

Reply #29 – March 04, 2011, 04:55:14 PM

Quote

P.S., Changing the rack in with the engine in the car was about the most frustrating thing I've ever done. Definitely, jack the engine off the mounts. I had a hell of a time trying to seat the rack onto the posts that jut out of the sub-frame.

The rack just popped right off for me...may be a different story when it goes back together though. I have all sorts of room but then again I have new ChuckW mounts so maybe that makes a difference??