>Pete Chadwell wrote:
>
>I don't think I've EVER gotten my steering rack mounted properly on my car, and
I'm hoping to learn >some tricks from the collective wisdom of the list...
>
>Now, as then, I think that the rack is not mounted correctly, as there is a
certain amount of side-to-side >movement of the entire rack that should not
exist.
>
>Does anyone out there know how this can be done? What is the word on those
aluminum block >mountings that are available? Is that the only cure?
Pete,
Earlier this year I got a great tip from this list. You will notice that when
you turn the wheels to the right, the rack gets pushed to the left, and
vice-versa (the side to side motion you mentioned).
Take advantage of this motion by turning your wheels all the way to the right
before undoing anything, and then replace the rubber mount that is not being
pressured. Before tightening the U-bolts, turn the wheel to the oppisite lock in
order to apply pressure to the newly installed mount. Tighten the U-bolts. Now
do the same for the other side. It worked great!
Also, I have experience with the aluminum block mountings on a previous TR6.
They work great, but much more of the road shock gets transmitted through the
steering assembly to the steering wheel. In addition, it takes a little more
fiddling to get the rack centered when installing the mounts because they don't
butt up against the rack flanges like the stock mounts do. And finally, there is
a small nylon button that fits into a hole on top of the passenger side of the
rack that is held in place by the stock rubber mount. This button keeps vertical
play out of the rack mechanism and is not pictured in the Moss catalog, however
the part number is shown in the text as part number 854-045 (Nylon dampener).
TRF shows it as item DH28 (Plug, nylon). The solid mounts do not hold this part
in place, so you need to use a piece of rubber and a hose clamp as a substitute.
I have found that the "list trick" makes the steering feel just as tight as the
car that had the solid mounts, and at a lot less cost.
Mel Hildebrandt, San Diego
'74 TR6 CF24749UO
'61 TR3 TS79778
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