steering rack

[g&gmiller]

hi guys,
i've been looking at this rack closer and my father and i are thinking of replacing the whole thing right up to the steering wheel shaft that is coming through the firewall. there were 2 u-joints in the setup that are sticking and worn and it looks like mickey mouse installed it. does anyone have any thoughts as to a good replacement setup and where i could get the rest of the parts needed to replace everything right up to where it comes out of the firewall?

thanks everyone.

greg and gary miller

[Danr55]

Greg, Like it's been mentioned the original set up for most Contemporary's was the Jaguar Series I XKE manual rack set up. All of the parts necessary to build this set up are available at XK's Unlimited. (Kind of one stop shopping.) What you may not be able to find there, you can find at Welsh Jaguar. (http://www.welshent.com/) If it were me, that's how I'd go. You might also check with Mickmate. He's got more info on these cars than most of us combined. He also reads this thread regularly.

[mickmate]

If you were to go to the original style rack there are a couple of issues in my opinion. One is the tie rods need to be shortened, the other is the racks are installed onto the frame with nutserts (as are the a-arms) which scares me. I would compare the distance across the tie rod inners and the total overall length to something like the Flaming River MGB/Cobra rack or maybe the Mustang II rack. It's that bump steer thing. The original Jag style u-joints are serviceable items like a driveshaft where you replace the cups and crosses. If that's what you have they are pretty easy to replace. Dan made a couple of good suggestions I use SNG Barret. Does it have the 3/4-48 splined steering shaft? If so the joints can also be replaced with Flaming River or Borgeson, all good quality stuff as you know.

[Bob Perry]

Greg, I replaced my steering shaft and u-joints with Borgenson SSP16n-736x748-123437 (u-joints ) and SSP736x23.25x2 429310 (shaft)

[g&gmiller]

hi bob,
are you using a ford manual rack also?

greg

[Bob Perry]

Greg, I belive mine is a jag , contemp. ser. # is 33954.