Steering Rack install question

[PatGalvin]

Hello All
Just installed the Bastuck steering rack this eve and loosely connected each ball joint to the steering rack. Grabbed a rotor and moved it side to side - the rack doesn't feel smooth at all. I don't have a lot of experience with R&P steering but this feels very odd. It's like the gears aren't adjusted properly and one gear is riding too hard on another. As each gear tooth moves across pinion, there is a distinct and unpleasant vibration. I installed the short section of the steering column and felt the same unpleasant gear vibration.

Unfortunately this darn thing comes from Germany. Is this normal? Am I supposed to fill this with oil or make some adjustment? I'm all ears as I have no idea what to do, other than remove and carry over to a steering shop for diagnosis (on my new very expensive rack...).

Thx

Pat

 

[Roger]

Without feeling your rack it's very hard to tell, but if it's any comfort to you there's often such a feeling and you may be concerned over nothing. It usually feels like a kind of "whirring" sensation, but ought not to feel gritty.
There'll be a way to adjust backlash and that's done via a (usually spring-loaded) pinion pressure pad at right-angles to the steering column spline - you can see the housing in your photos. Do you have documentation with it? It should specify how to do that, and I doubt it's very complicated. It's usually a screw adjustment with some means of keeping the screw in place once you've got it right. Maybe yours is slightly over-tight.

 

[tinman58]

I just finished my installation of the R&P from Moss. I agree with Roger, I felt the same un easyness at that stage but I felt it was normal. Finished the install and after a few miles of getting used to the feel I like it and I think you will too.
P.S. what are you doing about the turn signals and horn?

 

[PatGalvin]

Thanks Dan and Roger

I'll go ahead and tighten this up and see how it feels with a wheel attached. If the gear vibration follows up the column, I'll pull the rack and take it some where and have it inspected. Hard to describe and hard to diagnose over the web.

This Bastuck unit allows one to use the original horn ring and blinkers. That was the attraction when I bought it and costs a pretty penny more than a rack from Revington or others.

Pat

 

[prb51]

Pat,
I have that unit and I do remember a mechanical feeling to adjustment prior to full installation altho I don't remember it being overly so.
I've many miles on mine and it works perfectly including the turn signal/horn unit. Very tite steering, wiggle the steering wheel going down the road and your tires respond.
Also you can go lock to lock sitting still with one hand.
Suggestion. Round the corners of the u joint connections where they pass the suspension tower. There is a lot of beefiness to the u joints and they can hit the tower....not really a hit but contact, very slight and can be avoided with a little filing.

 

[PatGalvin]

Thanks for the good news and the UJoint tips. Is there any guidance as far as how to "center" the rack on the supports? I probably have about 1/4 inch or more play side to side with the rack in position and would like to make sure I get this installed correctly?

Thanks again

Pat

 

[prb51]

Pat,
You'll need to wait until you get the steering all set up...the plastic horn/signal unit sits close to the stock fuel pump and you'll want to adjust any play with everything in place/assembled.
Once set up it does stay in place. I retightened everything (4 u bolt nuts) after driving 50 or so miles and haven't had to mess with it at all since.

 

[PatGalvin]

Thanks for the help Pablo. I'll be patient and wait till I get body back on car.

Take care

Pat