• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

Rack and Pinion Conversion- lessons learned

Jim_Stevens

Jedi Warrior
Gold
Country flag
Offline
I just completed a rack and pinion conversion on my TR-3A. It's the Moss version; no welding required was required and the job is reversible if the next owner wants the old steering back.

Trafficator: I wanted to keep the original trafficator, so I got the Bastuck L97BTR3 slip ring mechanism from Germany (www.bastuck.com). Directions are in German only, but you can figure it out from the pictures. The longitudinal holes on the unit did not appear to be drilled all the way through. And although the lexan it's made of <span style="text-decoration: underline">cannot</span> be drilled through--even with a drill press and all the pressure I could muscle, just take the same 3/32" drill bit and use finger pressure to ream the holes out. (Don't ask me!!)

Mounting the electric fan to the radiator was a bit of a challenge to make it look professional. I couldn't use the through-the radiator plastic tie-wrap jobbies because the fan blades protruded just beyond the base so it would bind. Maybe it was a defect in the fan (a Pacet, but Kenlowes have the same problem I found on the Web), maybe poor design, but I found a solution in a set of picture frame clamps (I'm also a woodworker) from Woodcraft. Worked great.

Run the thermostat sensor into the lower hose to the radiator for better temperature control.

I did not use a harmonic dampener in place of the mechanical fan. Neil Revington (of RevingtonTR in the UK) swore to me they're unnecessary.

Front end alignment was done by trial and error, on a sheet of heavy craft paper and a tape measure. 0 to 1/16" toe-in. Took about an hour for me to do in the garage, and when I took it to my mechanic to check it, no further adjustment was needed.

Driving: The Rack definitely removes the slack in the steering which is inherent in our old steering units (my '66 Vette had the same issue). It is also easier to steer while standing still. It is also more responsive to slight steering wheel movements.

On the down side, the car definitely understeers (maybe it did before and I just didn't notice it) and I was surprised the lock-to-lock was so high -- 2-1/2 turns. I was expecting more of a go-cart feel.
 

Attachments

  • 22509.jpg
    22509.jpg
    73.9 KB · Views: 373
  • 22510.jpg
    22510.jpg
    68.6 KB · Views: 370
  • 22511.jpg
    22511.jpg
    71.9 KB · Views: 374
  • 22512.jpg
    22512.jpg
    30.9 KB · Views: 362

HerronScott

Darth Vader
Offline
Jim,

Where did you get the steering wheel done at (and how much did it cost)?

Scott
 

mrv8q

Luke Skywalker
Country flag
Offline
Thanks for posting that, and a tip of the hat to Frank Angelini for a fine article. I have some Back to Black somewhere, and I'm going to try it...
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
Scotsman Rack and Pinion Conversion for 3000 Austin Healey 7
T TR2/3/3A TR3A rack & pinion conversion question - solution for horn & directional lever Triumph 2
C TR2/3/3A Rack and Pinion Conversion for Tr's Triumph 0
K TR2/3/3A DIY TR3A Rack and Pinion Steering Conversion Triumph 0
J Brittanicar Rack and Pinion Conversion Austin Healey 10
60TR3A TR2/3/3A TR3A Conversion to Rack-&-Pinion Steering Triumph 33
C TR2/3/3A TR3 Rack and pinion conversion Triumph 6
R Rack & Pinion Conversion Healey 3000 1964 Austin Healey 11
bluemiata90 TR2/3/3A TR3 rack and pinion conversion /turn signals Triumph 9
bluemiata90 TR2/3/3A TR3A rack and pinion conversion-yes or no Triumph 8
bluemiata90 TR2/3/3A Mustang II rack and pinion conversion to TR3 Triumph 5
Rick_Thompson TR2/3/3A TR3 rack and pinion kit problem... Triumph 17
M Need help removing the pinion assembly from a late 1275 steering rack Spridgets 7
M MGA RHD rack and pinion wanted MG 19
M TR6 Power Steering Rack & Pinion. Triumph 3
M TR6 Electric Powered Rack & Pinion. Triumph 4
T XK120 fit 140 rack & pinion Jaguar 3
M TR2/3/3A Identification of Rack and Pinion Unit Triumph 3
RAC68 Has anyone considered Power Rack and Pinion Stearing and/or an Air Bag suspension Austin Healey 32
BoyRacer Rack & Pinion steering for 3000 Austin Healey 12
J TR2/3/3A Rack & Pinion warning on TR3s-- Triumph 10
TRMark TR4/4A Play in steering pinion & rack mount mod Triumph 3
S Anyone need a rack and pinion for a project? Other Cars 1
F Spitfire Spitfire rack n pinion lub Triumph 6
B TR4/4A TR4 to TR3A Rack & Pinion swap Triumph 4
smaceng Steering Rack Pinion Leak Spridgets 11
T T-Series Need advice re MGTF rack and pinion removal MG 4
Lin Rack and Pinion Jaguar 3
B E Type rack and pinion motion Jaguar 4
P Panther Kallista, rack and pinion woes... Other British Cars 5
L Rack and pinion for big Healey? Austin Healey 9
1 rack and pinion Spridgets 2
gubba Has anyone here used this Rack & Pinion? Triumph 8
martx-5 TR2/3/3A Last Hurdle w/TR3 Rack & Pinion Triumph 5
prb51 TR2/3/3A German TR3 Rack & Pinion kit Triumph 10
fad64b TR2/3/3A Rack and pinion TR3 Triumph 8
prb51 TR2/3/3A Ebay TR3 with rack?pinion and fan unit Triumph 1
T TR2/3/3A 1960 TR3A now with rack and pinion Triumph 22
T TR2/3/3A Best place to buy a rack and pinion for TR3A? Triumph 13
C TR2/3/3A TR3A Rack and Pinion and Alternator in!! Triumph 9
T Rack and pinion, oil or grease? Triumph 6
77_MG_Midget Rack & Pinion Steering question, 1500 midget Spridgets 2
A TR2/3/3A rack & pinion steering for a TR3 Triumph 5
J TR2/3/3A Rack and Pinion for a TR3 Triumph 19
philman removing nut for steering rack pinion gear Restoration & Tools 0
philman rack and pinion tool question Triumph 1
G Rack & Pinion installation MG 2
T TR6 Need a slower rack and pinion for my 69 TR6 Triumph 7
S BJ7 - Parts Needed & Rack & Pinion Inquiry Austin Healey 4
Basil Rack and Pinion? Austin Healey 4

Similar threads

Top