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Wedge steering gear rack on a tr7 and tr8

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S

sabot

Jedi Trainee
Offline
Hi all,
Found a TR7 with a build date of Aug79, and a vin of
tcw113609ucf in a yard.
Will the steering gear rack work in my 8, and how much of it
should I grab?
thanks tom
 
Not sure about the rack, as the 8 had power steering the 7 did not. Most of the other bits are the same except for the engine of course, and some diffrences in the front brakes.
 
It will bolt right in. The TR8 does have a power rack, but many have been replaced with TR7 manual racks over the years. Make sure you also take the lower steering shaft- the piece between the steering knuckles. It is longer on a TR7 than on an 8 because the TR8 power rack has a control box mounted on top of the rack. Also grab the u joints, whatever bolts you take off, and end links that attach to the struts. They are the same but could come in handy. A TR7 rack shouldn't cost more than $50. Vicky Brit was selling brand new ones for $150 not too long ago and may still. On a side note, TR7 racks came in two different ratios. The earlier ones were something like 3.9 turns lock to lock and the later ones were around 4.7. I would have to drag some out to check the exactness of that statement. One from a 79 coupe(kinda rare model as that was when they were switching over to convertible production) would be the easier to turn 4.7 model. I personally prefer the manual racks on my TR8s. Gives a better feel for the road, and saves weight. You can send your power assist rack out to be rebuilt at Atlantic Power Steering in one of the Carolinas.
 
Thats what I was thinking, put the manual rack in and have the 8 rack rebuilt.
Any chance of a picture of what I should have them pull?
thanks Tom
 
Tom, they have to drop the sub and then it just unbolts.
Here is a PS rack
DSCF4255.jpg

Here is a manual rack
(thought I had a pic of mine before I put it in, but I guess not. Maybe Todd does)

I have a 7rack on mine,but still not sure about the longevity on it,meaning, I might go back to the power unit.On the road it's not too bad, in parking lots and slow speed it's a duzzy.
 
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