Request for a part...

[PHerder]

I am reassembling my wife's 66 Sprite and found the right side (looking from the drivers seat) steering rack mount top is broken. :frown: It is number 17 on this VB picture.

https://www.victoriabritish.com/icatalog/SM/full.aspx?page=84

IAW most of the online catalogs, that piece is not sold separately AND in most cases is NLA (no longer available!)

Does anyone have a parts car that has this piece and is willing to part with it?

TIA.

Also, that same side steering rack mount had a plate of steel that I believe was positioned between the mount and the frame of the car. You can see a "ghost" drawing next to the steering rack mount (#17) on the same picture as above. Mine was tied to the rack mount that was mounted to the right side (other side from the picture.) What is the purpose for this piece of steel?

Again, TIA.



Paul
One step forward, two (or more) steps back!
I am going to have to live forever to finish this car (or die trying!)

 

[Trevor Jessie]

That bit of steel is a shim used to align the rack pinion with the steering column.

 

[Billm]

Paul
I am fairly sure that I have one of those but I can't find it right now.
If noone else has one for you then I will look further but if someone does then I won't.
BillM

 

[PHerder]

That bit of steel is a shim used to align the rack pinion with the steering column.

That makes sense. I can look down the steering column hole to the rack and it looks like it is aligned perfectly WITH that piece of steel in place.

Thanks! One mystery solved... :banana:

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Paul,

When you put this back together be sure and use a bottoming tap to clean out those mounting holes. There will be all sorts of junk down there. That is a piece of aluminum you are mounting into so please observe correct torque specs. If you use new bolts bet careful about length as those screws will bottom out in the holes and clamps will not be tight enough and rack will move on you. Don't ask me how I know.I needed to use an extra washer to get the clearance right. Shim very important it needs to be there. Too few and rack will lock up. Unless you are changing out the rack put shim back where you found it.

I lined the inside of those clamps with a piece of bicycle inner tube and some contact cement. Rack does not move period. Also if horn stops working you may need to add a ground wire as the horn grounds through the rack.

 

[nomad]

Paul, I have several of those brackets and can definetly spare one. I agree with Jims mounting procedure. Bicycle inner tube works well on the clamps and besides the stock shim you may find you need more. I can bring the clamp when I can get away here if you can wait a bit or can send it if you are desperate.

Kurt.

 

[Billm]

I still haven't found mine so Kurt is on!
Bill

 

[Jim_Gruber]

And if you need additional shims some hobby shop copper sheet and scissors will fix you up nicely. Procedures for shimming are in the Shop Manual.