28 replies to this topic

[UCSLE]

still haven't finished my steering rack been waiting to get a lathe which will be soon 

 

the plan is to machine out the tie rod end so it converts it back to the original type 

 

you dont know anyone with a lathe that can do the work for you ?

[hawk]

Ok well I removed the rack end off one side and it can't be screwed on further. I doubt you can effectively convert them to the original style.

In the end I stripped the rack ends off my spare rack and while quite corroded, should Do the job.

Going to tickle them in the lathe at work to clean some off the pitting off the surface of the rack ends.

The factory cups and springs look relatively good considering how bad the rack was.

Now how do I set the preloaded correctly on them?

[76lxhatch]

Sucks a bit to have paid for the new ones and they're useless, but I think you'll be a lot better off with the correct joint spacing.

 

I just go by feel for the preload, there should probably be just barely enough to hold the tie rod (with the tie rod end) at any angle by itself but it should still move smoothly.

[hawk]

Thanks, its together with the factory rack ends. they were pretty rough but will have to do for now.

At least the wheels are straight now.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

In short, do NOT buy replacement rack ends. You'll just be in for a bad time. Hopefully someone reads this and doesn't make the same mistake I did.