TR steering rack query

Do a search and check x ref thread. Someone on here rebuilt the rack. It's rebuildable for sure. I will look later on and see what I find

R

 

Are they the same as a 308? Superformance list all the same parts as the 308 in the flat 12 section for the BB. If it's the same the Pantera bushing should fit.

 

I had a problem with mine and contacted GT car parts. Did an exchange for a rebuilt one, 4-500 bucks done.

 

That may have been me, but I am sure others have rebuilt them as well. Rebuilding would probably be more successful than a used rack for a loose bushing...at least you would have new bushings.

The problem with mine was apparently wear on the gear set near the center of the track...it had a lot of play on center in the steering.

Poster Rifledriver (a TR expert here) claims that the rebuild is less successful for the gears - I believe that they use a spray welding method to build up the gears again and then machine them back to tolerance. Rifledriver says this wears down again fairly quickly - but then the original in my case did not last long...I noticed the problem by about 25,000 total original miles and it was rebuilt at 27,000.

 

Try n source bushing. I would exhaust all options before a rebuild exchange.

R

 

I don't think that was me.
I have had total dissatisfaction with rebuilt racks and do not buy them anymore. I agree most can be fixed but finding some who does it well is nearly impossible.

 

JohnMH,

I looked all over the net for someone who could rebuild it with no luck. I called Bill at GT Car Parts looking for a used one and he had a guy that rebuilds them. I have over 2000 miles on that rebuilt rack and no problems at all, the car drives "perfect"! Call Bill and talk about the exchange and the warrantee on the rebuilt rack. You have a simple problem, easily solved.

Good Luck!
Pete

 

OK, I understand now. I thought you were saying that the rebuild was pretty much worthless for restoring the gears but could be OK for just the bushings.

I am still highly troubled by such a simple and vital mechanical item as a rack & pinion that wears out in 25,000 miles.

 

It's age not miles.

R

 

AGE??? A rack & pinion? How does it wear out the gears just sitting there?

 

Bushings not the internals..

R

 

I agree, the racks are junk. Another low bid supplier.

 

It's not age. We have been replacing worn out racks since not long after the cars were built. The racks are just garbage.

 

I have 62k km on my 92 512TR now and am in the process of replacing the streering rack due to excessive steering wheel play. When I get it back I will report on the change if there is any. I bought a new one from Ricambi as I did not want the used one from Eurospares. The steering is probably the most vital control so I did not want to skimp. The rack cost ~$1700 without shipping which is pricey but I have come to expect this on our cars and well I love this car so it is worth it.

 

I think you got a great deal.

 

Alex, do you have any source for the 512TR steering rack bushings?

 

So...the original busing appears to have been plastic. The dimensions (best I can measure, and these are the English equivalents) are 1.21" outer diameter, 0.90" inner diameter and about 0.80-0.90 in length.

The Pantera uses a very similar rack bushing, sourced here in bronze:
https://ipsco.org/newsite/product/ips128-steering-rack-bushing/

I ordered one of these out of curiosity and the outer diameter and length are perfect. The inner diameter is 0.84, so not far off of the .090 needed. I am going to put mine on a lathe and open the size up 0.060, and put it in. I am not 100% sure it can't be done IN the car, but having the rack out facilitates you removing the inner tie rod end.

This piece will just press into place. I will slightly fold/dimple the edge of my rack over so this doesn't slide out but there is very little pressure on it. Currently I 3D printed a nylon and chopped carbon fiber sleeve in a C shape and snapped it over the rack output shaft and pressed in. It is working fine but I don't like the idea of putting a car on track that doesn't have a fully secured piece, as EVERY car in my fleet is capable of track day use.

Hope this helps. This was my 50 buck gamble, might as well share the knowledge I have. What I REALLY need are some dimensions on that inner tie rod end. Length, external threads for the outer tie rod end and the internal threads where it threads on to the rack. I think I have a Moog replacement for 30 bucks or less that is dimensional-ly identical but need to verify.

 

I suspect we are speaking about different parts. I am looking for the 8 rubber bushings where the rack attaches to the frame. I spoke with Ray at TRutlands this morning and they ARE available from Ferrari for a mere $32 apiece. I believe the rack was manufactured by TRW so I doubt these were unique rubber bushings. I may get the NAPA boys on it.
Once I get the old rack out I will try to measure whatever you want, but I may not have the expertise to measure threads (I can use a caliper).

 

Cassidy, I know you are in the US and most members also. but ferrari it a european car and here we count in metric,not in inch. so th einch sizes never will match the inch sizes when you meassure exactly. so I think you use an eletronic caliper? then you could change to metric and know 100 % the right size

 

Update:
I contacted Superformance UK and they have the bushings for $6.85 each. I found a source on EBay out of New Jersey for $6.80 each, but they only have one. I found another source on EBay, EWItalian, in Englishtown, New Jersey that has I believe polyurethane bushings for $12 each. I have 8 of these coming. They can also rebuild a 512TR rack for $550.
When I removed my old 67,000 mile rack, the bushings looked perfect. I mean PERFECT. Soft rubber, no deformities. It looks like these could easily be re-used, but for $100 I'll take one for the Chat and see if the replacement bushings look better.
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