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bugeye suspension and steering rack help

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I

ichthos

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My car was taken down to the body shell. When I removed the front suspension, I removed the steering rack and brake drums together. I think I then removed the shocks and finally the spring pan and springs. Is the front suspension normally put in first or is the steering rack installed first? Does it matter? Like everything else on this car, it is usually a first for me, so any tips would greatly be appreciated.
Kevin
 
Assuming my Midget isn't too terribly different I'd say mostly it doesn't matter. However, I did the rack and shocks first then the pan and springs. I suspect it would be more difficult to wiggle the tie rod ends on at both ends with the springs in place than having the rack in place and bringing the pan to the shock and tie rod end one at a time.
 
I when front suspension then steering rack. Got everything hooked up then realized that I couldn't get the driver's side brake line back in place with the steering rack on. So everything unhooked, steering rack removed, brake pipe in place then replaced the steering rack.
 
That was going to be my reply, put in the lever shocks first, then the front brake lines then the steering rack. Remember there is a shim that goes behind the rack on the pasengar side but none on the drivers side. I would also hook up the steering column before bolting the rack securly down. Also there is rubber wrapped around the shaft where it goes into the mounts. I used an old innertube to make these, without it it rattles in the mount.

Mark
 
Use a bottoming tap to clean out those holes where the rack mounts. Lots of crud in there. Be sure to use correct length bolts or they will bottom out and rack will slide around. Don't ask how I know.

Careful about torque specs, that is aluminum up there

New bolt with a self locking , not a Nylock on there, nut for the steering shaft.

Depending on the year of your Spridget the pinion gear can be real cheap or real expensive to replace. On a '68 it was something like $8.95 to replace. Other years $80+. Consider replacing, it really tightens up the rack feel.
 
When I removed my steering rack, two forked pieces about 1" wide by 1 1/2" fell down. Are these the spacers you are talking about? What is their purpose? You mentioned there was only one on the passenger side, but I have two. Where would the other one go? What are the torque settings for the bolts that go into the aluminum? What is the difference between a nylock and self locking nut?

To summerize for me, it looks like I would put the front together in this order, correct?
1) shocks
2) front brake lines
3) steering rack (loosely fitted)
4) steering column
5) springs and spring pans

By the way, thanks for all the little tips - I'm still writing all of them down before I dive in.

Kevin
 
not sure about the spacers but I think the order is correct
 
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