Wedge TR7 manual rack into TR8

[tdskip]

Hi guys - a friend from a mailing list just had his TR8 power steering rack give up the ghost. He is wondering if a TR7 manual rack would fit.

Any ideas/experience?

Thanks.

 

[tr8todd]

They fit. Most of my 8s end up with manual racks. I like the way they feel better than the power units. You will need to swap out the whole rack, including the lower steering shaft and tie rods. The lower shaft on the 8 is a little shorter because of the control box on top of the steering rack. Toughest part will be removing the power steering pump. The early coupe TR7s had a rack with a quicker ratio than did the later cars. Stick to one out of a later car unless the car is a competition car. With the manual rack, the steering will feel like it does on a TR7- a little stiff for three point turns, but wonderful once you are rolling. It will also save 30 or 40 pounds off of the front.

 

[tdskip]

As always, thanks for the info Todd. I really appreciate it, as will my buddy.

Thanks!

 

[tr8todd]

I see you posted my comment on the TR8 list. I switched internet providers and can't seem to post on the list any more. I still get the list once a day and read it with my morning coffee. I'll spend a little time checking out the dozen or so racks I have around and try to give you the different ratios. Off of the top of my head< I think it is 2.9 for very early cars and 3.5 for rest. I have an early one in the race car, so I'll check that one first. On a side note, I am picking up another TR8 78 coupe today. It needs a full restoration, so it looks like I am about to embark on another labor intensive, money loosing venture.

 

[tr8todd]

Just finished counting and here is what I found. TR8 power steering is about 2.7. Rover SD1 is the same, about 2.7. TR7 repair manuals list the TR7 as 3.875. That is what I found on 3 of my racks. The rest of the ones that were easy to get to, were all about 4.6. Seems interesting that all of the books list the TR7 at 3.875 when most of my racks are around 4.6. It would seem that they changed and didn't list it in the factory shop manuals. I am sure that the specs listed in the Haynes manual are just copied from the factory one. Found one thing disturbing. I actually have a slower rack in the race car and a faster one in the street car I'm building. Add that to the list of things I've screwed up. I guess I'll be changing out the rack in the race car. I also have a new old stock rack still in the bubble wrap, but that thing was so stiff I couldn't even turn it. It's going into my buddies car that just came back from being painted, so I'll know about that one when I get around to putting it in. So much for Bill's urbine myth. I guess he just needed to broaden his search data. This is a perfect example of why I have never bought a book about wedges. I'll put them on the shelf if I find one in a car I buy, but I won't waste my money on them.

 

[tdskip]

Hi Todd - I hope it was OK to post that on the TR8 list. Bill was being cranky - I had a bunch of other guys email me directly who were very appreciative of the info (as was I)!

Any pictures of the new Coupe?!?

 

[tr8todd]

I'm glad you posted it. Some day I'll spend some time and get my situation with the list sorted out. Bill and I talk all the time by private email. We have very similar interests in competition TR8s, and neither of us have tons of money to throw away. I am leaving now to retrieve the car. I have to remove three MGBs as part of the deal first. The MGs are rusting into the ground, but have a ton of potential as parts cars. They should help me recoup some of the money I'm spending to buy the eight. I don't know what it is, but I always seem to get involved in deals where I end up with several cars at once. My wife is going to kill me when she finds out I just bought four more cars. I don't think the Bs are long for this world. Maybe take off the wire wheels and an engine or two before sending then to the scrap yard. Cars are $140 a ton here. I should be able to get back the gas and toll money it will cost me to retrieve these things anyway. Pics will follow after I get all of the stuff home.

 

[tdskip]

Good luck pulling everything Todd.

I can help post the MGB parts on another active MG forum if you want (or suggest you register and list on the mgbexperience.com)

 

[TR3driver]

Seems interesting that all of the books list the TR7 at 3.875 when most of my racks are around 4.6.

Just a thought ... is it possible the travel is limited by something else rather than the rack, so the published figure is correct once it's installed in the car ?

Or maybe everyone leaves out the stops when they rebuild the rack ? The Stag is supposed to have stops in the rack, but they were missing from the 'rebuilt' one I bought (which also had other problems, good thing I didn't pay very much for it).

 

[tr8todd]

Not likely, as I looked at racks that were both in cars and on shelves. Just got home with the TR8 coupe. It is a red, automatic, AC, Webasto sunroof car, built in Aug 77. Seems to be bone stock and very complete, but will need an extensive resto.