Rack and Pinion Steering Box Subaru unit #631-300-540
 

I have the above noted unit in my older ERA that apparently needs re-building/replacement. Bob Putnam was kind enough to provide options to me given that these units are 34 years old and difficult to find.

Options -

- Take it out and have it re-built, possibly through rockauto.com.

- ERA has a core unit that need re-building - use that one - tie-rods will have to be modified.

- Supposedly the A1-Cardone number 24-2608 is a rebuilt replacement.

- Convert to our new gear (Flaming River) but it will require welding in new mounts and a different steering column.
_____

I'd have to have all the work done by someone else, so parts and labor costs will be involved. The Flaming River option will supposedly run around $1,000 - I'm wondering if going that route would result in a better driving car or does it really make any difference?

There was a Cardone unit for sale here, but it's been sold.

I'm beginning to think that if one doesn't know much about cars, perhaps one shouldn't own a Cobra, but I sure like it!

Any input/options would be appreciated.

By the way, ERA is the best.

while i know nothing of the Subaru gear.......if it was me......i would modify it to use the mustang II rack, in which i am assuming the flaming river one is.
the extra welding may be a pain in the arse, but any repair issues later will be less cumbersome with the parts availability.
what spindles are on the car?
you mentioned the tie rod ends get modified for the subaru gear, the question i would have is what other mods need to be done to use the new gear?

Unfortunately, I know nothing about spindles, etc. Good point RE: Flaming River option.

Go with the new Flaming River set up. Get it, along with the new tie rods, steering column, and mounts, from ERA. Welding in the new mounts does not appear to be too big of an operation (I can only "sort of" imagine it as I already have it).

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...0/steer001.jpg
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...0/steer002.jpg
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...0/steer003.jpg
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...0/steer004.jpg
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...0/steer005.jpg

Parts Planet apparently has a unit for $346.50--I'd check that out and save some money (after all, your current unit sounds like it lasted 34 years).

Here's the link (list is arranged by part number):

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...aKMHfQHwQe4cYg

(Duplicate post)

Uhhhh, You Go First...
 

I don't think Parts Planet is real. They have every part known to man, and if you go to their root page and click "About" it's all in Russian.%/ Here, try it: PARTS PLANET

I don't know anything about Parts Planet--it was just one of the Google findings.

Repair or replacement with a similar unit is still worth exploring for the tremendous difference in price.

Bliss, whatever you decide to buy, buy it from ERA -- trust me, this is a BFD. Do you remember as a kid when you'd get a toy and the first thing you'd do is take it apart? Well, that's what I do with my ERA, I take it apart and put it back together just for the fun of it (and whether the pieces are broken or not). And I will tell you, a lot of the standard "off the shelf" parts are modified just a bit. Look at my steering rack, that's a Flaming River rack that is pretty much a Mustang II piece, but it's been ground off on the box and shortened on the ends. There are a lot of pieces like that -- the steering knuckle, water pump, ignition switch, and on and on -- all ground a little here and there. I'll tell you, NEVER throw out a broken part on an ERA until you have the replacement part sitting right next to it on the work bench. They may have started out in life as a stock piece, but they ain't no more. Now on your steering rack, I know you have an older car, but starting with chassis 759 you have to use the Flaming River FR1502-3x3 rack, but you can't buy it from Flaming River because theirs has a 4.0 lock to lock ratio and I don't think you want that. ERA must take them apart and rebuild the ratio down to 3.1 in addition to modifying the tie rods adaptors. As I said before, I think you should get the modified Flaming River rack from ERA that they think will best fit your numbered chassis. I know it would be nice to not have to screw with welding the mounts, but once that's done the installation is pretty quick and easy. I don't know if you're going to be able to find a new Subaru rack, and one that "claims" to fit the Subaru may or may not fit your ERA -- and who knows what the lock to lock value will be or what the integrity level of the insides are. Don't cut corners -- a quality rack will make a big difference. And, uhhh, don't buy it from Parts Planet either.:rolleyes:

well....that sure sounds like the best advise i have heard in a while..

i would trust patrick's take on this......just because he has the most garage miles on his car compared to anyone else......lol

and i think he disassembles his car solely to clean it...

Pat - if you're not on ERA's payroll, then you should be! I'm starting to realize you probably know what you're talking about when it comes to ERA cars. Thanks!
Cheers,
Glen
ps...do you ever turn your computer off? That little green light's always on!

Sadly, no. Somehow they keep losing my job application.:( I think ERAChas is behind that, but I can't prove it.:CRY:

No, I never do.:o

I ordered my Subaru rack & pinion from the local Parts Plus store & had it in my hands within 3 hours.

Bliss, whatever you decide to buy, buy it from ERA -- trust me, this is a BFD.

Thanks for all the input - you are right, ERA knows the little secrets as to how parts work with modifications regularly required - for example, the "ERA has a core unit that need re-building - use that one - tie-rods will have to be modified" option that I noted has "tie-rods will have to be modified" so now I'm wondering if any unit would need that done and what specifically needs to be done - I've sent an email to Bob to find out. I assume that if I take my unit out of the car, have it rebuilt and put it back in without any modification of tie rods - seems like the easiest solution but the Flaming River option through ERA seems like the better long-term solution.

I did find out the the Subaru units (used) are readily available through junk yards, from $60 on up.

Again, thanks.

Ask Bob about a PS rack setup like appleton or sweet
 

Bliss Talk to Bob or doug at ERA about putting a power steering rack in or going electric. I have been running for 13 years with PS and love it at every track. Only needed 1 bracket welded to the frame. everything was a straight bolt up. Easy setup of a GM ps pump and tank. Mine is on the r/s of the motor down bottom. cooler is under the radiator support. tank is on fender wall. Worth every dollar. Rick L. era#428.

PS becareful with Pat. Everytime the car gets pulled apart a couple of nuts and bolts are left off. He's saving weight and hoping for better gas mileage.%/:rolleyes:

Nothing is easy for me, setup wise. I've decided to go with the unit that ERA has to offer or the Flaming River route, but thanks for the input.

Make sure you discuss with Bob! The latest rack and pinion (in my ERA289) is mounted differently than the one in my FIA built some ten years ago (which is similar to the one pictured above.

Frankly, the most inexpensive route is to rebuild the old R&P that is currently in your car.

Jim