LH-LX Steering Rack Reco Notes
#1 _gam_
Posted 12 April 2012 - 04:30 PM
My LX project has been floundering for 27 years in the shed.
As I re-did the front suspension I noticed a huge amount of play where the tie rod meets the Rack tube .. Rip out the rack complete, disassemble, and find that somehow the Left Hand end INNER Guide Bush, it supports the rack shaft, was gone .. not there .. disintegrated .. crumbled.
The obvious answer was age alone, as the car has done nothing, and gone nowhere, in all that time.
I hunted litterally high and low, and even a GMH Torana member ..FuzzyPumper (I dare NOT ask where that comes from) .. eluded to an old Noltec (now defunct) item which is no longer available. Everyone I spoke to told of past history availability, ... no call for the item, ... not necessary, ....haven't seen one in years .. to quote a few comments. SuperPro were helpful but the item was also unavailable.
However, a call to REDRANGER PRODUCTS at Somersby near Gosford, NSW, led me to discover that these bushes ARE available , but they are listed as Commodore NOT also for TORANA.
Nolathane part No is ... 41029
Whiteline part No is ......W11049 ...a similarity to the old Noltec part No N11049
The Nolathane part is a kit with the sacrifical pin included. You must drill out this retainer pin inbetween the lock ring and the tie rod end retainer ring to service the shaft, or replace a tie rod.
Where the specs got confused and lost is this. Nolathane/Whiteline make the bush out of Urethane, with a hexagonal centring hole, to allow luricant flow, IF you use the specified 140 grade oil, but most businesses now use Lithium Graphite grease anyway.
The OD (Outside Diameter) of the bush is spec'd at 34.6mm, length 24.3mm, ID (Inside diameter) states 30mm.
BUT, the ID measurement is taken at the PEAK of the Hex pattern, not across the FLATS. Your LH-LX-UC Rack Shaft is 25mm dia, and that is the corresponding dimension of the Bush across the flats.
The Website listings for Whiteline and Nolathane have the dimensions displayed with a graphic for the above part No's .. but keep in mind that these ID dimensions are NOT precise because of the hex shape.
The part No's do not relate to TORANA at all. but I am assured that they will add this content to their listing AFTER I have purchased and fitted their bush !! . . .at my expense of coarse.
I will state quite clearly and honestly here, that Steve and Grant at REDRANGER were absolutely bloody fantastic to deal with. Whiteline has an Online purchasing option .. Nolathane dosen't..
I do not work with Redranger the company, nor am I working at a motor repair business ... I'm just an ol' fart trying to assist anyone else who needs that area of repair (the Rack) sorted out.
Also. during the Hazy `70's, it was common practice to mix a slurry of Lithium Graphite Grease with the 140 oil and load the rack sparingly with this mix. It didn't leak, or drip .. and still did the job quite well as when you turned lock to lock it was still viscous enough to pump through the Guide Bush ... just a thought
Damn ... I wonder what ever happened to my ol' March 17th Green XU1 bought new in `73 from Zupps in Brissy, last seen around Wyong .. and my PurrPull GTR with the original XU1 engine . . . .um . . . . let's see, what did I do after `76 ???
#2 _walpolla_
Posted 12 April 2012 - 09:19 PM
I have a couple of racks that I want to re do as spares. Very timely your info is.
thanks, Rod
#3
Posted 13 April 2012 - 12:10 AM
How do you dismantle the steering shafts (if thats the word) to actually access where the bush sits
I have a UC rack and even though it all feels good I thought I would reco it, but could not for the life of me gain access to these bushes
Any help, photo's etc would be greatly appreciated
Cheers Mark
#4 _robslxhatch_
Posted 13 April 2012 - 07:04 AM
#5 _gam_
Posted 13 April 2012 - 11:30 AM
Apologies .. brain fade in the heat of the moment.
The tie rod ends are secured to the rack shaft by a small pin that is installed between the locknut and the tierod end cap/retainer. There should be 2 dimples in the lock nut .. one will have the pin and a sqish from the notch to hold the pin in place. I think it's 5/64", but CHECK first !!
Now .. SuperPro were great to deal with too. Jemma was my contact there ..she's restoing an LX too, good girl .. but had the impression that the LEFT HAND inner bush was sintered bronze. This maybe the case in some instances, but I've never seen a metal bush as such, though I think LC-LJ's may have had some.
SuperPro, Nolathane, Whiteline .. and many others are out there in the marketplace. My research led me to Redranger, and that's where it all stopped as they supplied instantly .. NOT a problem, and as close as a 1300 call ..done.
And that ISN'T degrading another manufacturer OR supplier .. as I said, Jemma was fantastic and SUPERPRO do a great job with their products, as I've rebushed my ol' GQ Patrol entirely with SuperPro, and a lot of items in My HR31 Skyline Coupe..
Keep in mind what I discovered .. that the EARLY Commodore bush is the SAME bush, and SuperPro DO supply them, but again they make NO reference to LH-LX-UC Torana ...BUT check the dimensions as GMH had a few suppliers of many differnet parts.
THERE IS ONLY ONE BUSH .. LEFT HAND END !! The right is supported and guided by another PLASTIC spring-loaded block, and be well aware of the shim packs and VERY fine gaskets. If you replace a GASKET, you'll be adding or subtracting shims too .. CAUTION, ay.
Hope this clarifies the bush issue. However some racks DO NOT have the lock pin, they use a lock washer with a tab that is hammered down for security.
CV Joints Auistralia at Rose Hill in Sydney were awesome to deal with too. They have sent the Tie Rod end boots at very moderate cost, but they also reco a rack for $160. Sid or Tony were the main culprits I spoke too .. great service.
Best regrads. Geoff
#6 _Watto81_
Posted 15 April 2012 - 02:54 PM
Edited by Watto81, 15 April 2012 - 02:59 PM.
#7 _cruiza_
Posted 15 April 2012 - 03:32 PM
welcome to the forums, in answer to your question not likely, there were a number of different steering rack ratios quicker steering = heavier steering also fat tires and who knows someone may have played mix and match with an old car and you different steering are arms lowered suspension etc etc. the biggest difference I found was tires, how wide and what air pressure you are running in your tires.
#8 _robslxhatch_
Posted 15 April 2012 - 04:45 PM
Edited by robslxhatch, 15 April 2012 - 04:48 PM.
#9
Posted 15 April 2012 - 08:24 PM
Is there any procedure to setting up the clearance and/or lash of the pinion and rack?
#10 _Watto81_
Posted 15 April 2012 - 10:07 PM
#11 _gam_
Posted 17 April 2012 - 07:39 PM
The setup is reasonably easy, and is simply a matter of checking pre load with a small fishing scale to manufacturer specs. I know it in pounds weight as a measure, but all the relevant info is VERY easily read in any of the common manuals. The hard part these days is if you replace gaskets or bearings, and you have to re-shim. Finding the shims MAY be a problem, but I believe Commodore are same or similar.
I have fitted up the new bush .. a Nolathane kit 41029, with the lock pin included. Sourced through Bursons for $20. The NEW bush, in place, was heavily lubed and simply pressed into the locking groove by hand. But, working the fine threaded end of the rack THROUGH the new bush was a worry, as the fine thread acts like a file. I loaded both the rack end AND the bush with Moly Grease, and wiggled the shaft through gently, rather than screw or just a hard push. Maybe three marriages has taught me that a gentle but persuasive decent wiggle is better than a good hard shove !!! MMm .. LOL
Assembly was with a conjuction of Moly Grease and 140 Grade oil. The rack and the pinion were given a LIBERAL spread of Moly grease, the bearings got 140/Moly. Mount the Left Boot in place and secure whith clamps/cable ties, then I dribbled a mix (about 200ml) of 140/Moly Grease into the right hand end and fit the Boot in place, and secure with cable ties or the original clamps.
The rest of the process was a delight, and CV Joints Aust supplied the new Rack End Boots or Dust Covers. Sid is the man !!!
RedRanger have agreed to revising their catalogue to include the addition of LH-LX-UC Torana Rack End Bush, which it at present does NOT include as a vehicle fitment.
Easy, but VERY messy sometimes.
#12 _gam_
Posted 18 April 2012 - 10:23 AM
Bugger ..as I'm rebuilding the car, I am keeping a pic documentation of EVERYTHING I'm doing ...
BUT I can't add pics here because the files are too big.
#13
Posted 18 April 2012 - 10:47 AM
Bugger ..as I'm rebuilding the car, I am keeping a pic documentation of EVERYTHING I'm doing ...
BUT I can't add pics here because the files are too big.
This is a great thread - thanks to all.
gam - to add pics; use your Photobucket account or similar and therein you can re-size the photos so they can be posted.
Typically 640 x 480 is fine.
Then click on the 'direct link' (right hand side of your image in photobucket) to copy and past into your post using the 'image' icon.
Hope this helps you better explain your efforts to date - the old 'a picture tells a thousand words' sentiment comes to mind.
Cheers, TB
Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: LX, Steering Rack, Rack bushes, LX L/Hand Bush
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