Steering Rack

pspeaks · August 07, 2012, 11:04:16 AM

I have a question about steering racks. If I'm in the wrong section, sorry! I need to remove the input shaft coming from the steering column so I can attach (hopefully weld) a universal at point "A" but I want to be able to remove the input to rebuild the rack in necessary. If I remove plate "B" and the tensioner, Then plate "C" is there a nut there that if removed will allow me to pull the shaft out from the top (the top seal concerns me) or does it have to come out from the bottom? I was afraid to start taking this apart without asking you guys first.

Paul
Steering Rack.JPG

Jim Stabe · August 07, 2012, 01:13:17 PM

Check here http://www.jackscars.net/steering_rack.html Sounds like whatever attachment device you use for a universal needs to be the same size or smaller than the steering shaft. Back when I was still using MG steering with a 215 engine, I cut the shaft off and cross bolted an aircraft U joint with two bolts at 90* from each other. I never had to take the steering apart but I could have.

pspeaks · August 07, 2012, 02:07:47 PM

Thanks Jim, I've used the cross bolt method on T-Buckets a few times without any trouble too so I think I'll take your advice. For a better fit, I'll probably remove the shaft and do it on my milling machine and some V-Blocks. Nothing drills (machines) a better hole than a mill.

Pau

By the way everybody, this is an old picture from my archives; everything has been filled, ground, cleaned, and sinse been painted.

pspeaks · August 07, 2012, 02:18:30 PM

Again, by the way. What size cross bolt did you use? I was thinking a 1/4" grade 8, which is what we used on the T's, might be a little small for a BGT, but a 5/16" grade 8 would probably be OK.

Paul

mgb260 · August 07, 2012, 02:37:03 PM

Paul, You could also mill flats on the stub shaft and use a common Double D U joint.

Jim Stabe · August 07, 2012, 03:37:44 PM

Paul It was 40 years ago when I did and I don't even remember the diameter of the shaft much less what size bolts I used. If you have concerns you could make up a simulation you could lock in a vise and see if you could shear the bolts using a breaker bar. I think you will find that a bolt smaller than 1/4 would be plenty strong especially with 2 of them. The double D would be a good solution if you can find one that has the major diameter of your steering shaft. I think most are larger than the shaft diameter.

pspeaks · August 07, 2012, 10:37:53 PM

I have a new 3/4 to 3/4 weld-on universal that I had planned on welding, but I can weld the shaft end and cross drill the rack end of it. I was trying to use it rather than buy a 3/4 DD because I already have it but DD's they are available from Speedway and I have considered milling flats on the shafts, I was just trying to save a little money as long as it isn't unsafe.

Paul

mgb260 · August 07, 2012, 11:17:20 PM

Paul, Safety is always first. Just tossing some other ideas out there. PM Geoff on his set up. He has a 302 build on the project page.

http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,20349

pspeaks · August 08, 2012, 07:18:47 AM

Thanks Jim, I will. He has a lot of other great ideas I like!

Paul

pspeaks · December 25, 2012, 01:15:07 AM

Jim, I know I'm responding to an old post but I have the u-joint mounted on my milling machine and plan doing this in the morning you said you "cut the shaft off and cross bolted an aircraft U joint with two bolts at 90* from each other." Did you mean you drilled a bolt hole at each end of the u-joint, or two bolt holes on the same end at 90 degrees? Yes guys, I know tomorrow is Christmas but my kids are all 40 years old and don't expect me to put little stoves together :-)

Paul

Jim Stabe · December 25, 2012, 11:14:50 AM

The bolts were on the same end of the joint and 90* to each other and on separate planes (obviously). I think you could easily get away with #12 or even #10 bolts of high quality. Make a test assembly as suggested above and see if you can break it in the vise with a breaker bar. I don't think you will be able to even with the smaller bolts.

pspeaks · December 25, 2012, 11:27:28 AM

Thanks Jim, and you have a very special day! I lived in San Diego on Alice Street of El Cajon for ten years after I retired from the Navy; it has always been my favorite place to live.

Paul

Jim Stabe · December 25, 2012, 11:36:55 AM

It would be absolutely incredible if it weren't for the socialist morons we have in government in this state.

pspeaks · December 25, 2012, 03:05:29 PM

I agree,the socialist are a problem, but there are other issues too, like trying to get a modified car titled and inspected. Texas has issues as well, I guess no matter where you live you have to put up with something. I would still be there but my wife was ill and asked me to bring her back home to pass. That was sixteen years ago and here I am still in the land of severe heat and sun burn. Wait, here it is Christmas day and its 40 degrees and raining, oh well, you know what I mean!

Paul