Now a steering rack question

[Bernie H]

I bought a new steering rack from Victoria British and can't get it to align so that the wheels are parallel. After a puzzled morning i thought to compare it with the old rack. I can't get enough adjustment at the left hand tie rod. When I turn the steering as far as it will go to the left the shortest distance that I can make from the center of the spline on the end of the steering column to the center of the bolt that goes into the steering arm is 15 1/2". The comparable distance, also turned all the way to the left, on the old rack is 14 1/4". The car is a 1958 Bugeye. The alignment of the steering rack, according to the manual, is fairly simple. I checked that I ordered the correct rack from VB, they sell two. It is possible that they sent me the wrong rack, more likely that I have done something dumb. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Bernie, Are both wheels standing up straight or is the top of the left hand tire leaning out at the top. If so your Trunion cap is on backwards. BTDT

 

[Bernie H]

Thanks Jim. I did at one point have one of the trunion caps on backwards, but I spotted that. I take back what I said about the racks being of different lengths. They are exactly the same without the tie rod ends. i don't have wheels on and the car is on the lift with the front suspension hanging down. With the tie rod ends screwed in as far as they will go I can get the two sides parallel. This works with both the old and new racks, but when I connect up the steering column I can turn fully to the left but much less to the right. The wheel turns freely if the rack is not connected. The only adjustment on the brackets holding the rack is to move them backwards or forwards and this does not seem to help. Stumped !

 

[Jim_Gruber]

If the pinion gear was a tooth or two off that could account for that. Get an accurate count / measurement/ angles measured and see if you are indeed nit getting the same side to side turning distance.

 

[Bernie H]

I have the answer ! I replaced the bolt in the pinch connector with one that was too long with the effect that it caught on the cross member. If a dumb mistake is available, I will find it.