DeTomaso Mailing List: August 97, Message #7
     



From: Andy Poling <andy@realbig.com>

Subject: Re: Rack and Pinion ?

Date: Fri, 1 Aug 1997 02:32:42 -0400 (EDT)



On Thu, 31 Jul 1997, Shane F. Ingate wrote:

> Mike Drew wrote:

> 	[snip]

> 	> The vendors who

> 	> are rebuilding these racks aren't simply ordering new components from the

> 	> manufacturers.  Rather, they're going to massive bushing and bearing supply

> 	> hoses, taking the old racks apart, and saying, "Hey, do you have any o-rings

> 	> (or bushings, or bearings, or whatever) that match this one?"

> 

> One of the saddest parts of the Pantera is its steering rack.  Has anyone

> ever watched a Pantera in autocross where the driver emerges unbruised and

> ready to go again?  The slow steering realy can wear a fella out.

> 

> Why doesnt someone offer a quick-ratio rack for the P?  I figure ther would

> be quite a queue for it.



Well...



I'm coming into this at the last minute due to being out of touch for quite

a while.



As it happens I _did_ recently take 12 runs at a local autocross (3 runs

each in 4 heats) in an attempt to sort out my new wheels, tires and

Woodhouse/Gehling adjustable bars.  And I wasn't bruised, though my hands

were damn near raw... :-)



However, I talked to a fellow (Jerry Pentaleri) at the Pocono event who

informed me that the Pantera uses a Pinto Wagon steering rack, and that he's

managed to construct the mounting hardware necessary to use a Mustang II

rack instead.  He says it's beefier (I confirmed this by peering under the

car) and lacks the "dead spot" in the middle.  All he had to do was

fabricate new mounting blocks to mount the rack to the chassis.  The tie rod

ends are slightly larger in diameter, but he says a standard Ford tool will

ream and thread the steering knuckle... and the steering column matches right

up.



Having had my rack fail me (broken tie rod) the day before I was to leave

for Pocono, I was already thinking there must be a better way... then he

comes along and shows it to me!!  I must have had a little bit extra

influence with the big guy that weekend... maybe because he admired my

non-trailer-queen attitude. :-)



Thinkin' a Mustang II steering rack would be a kewl improvement...



-Andy



72 Pantera: wicked fast      91 Miata: easy fast      96 A4Q: surprisingly fast

                             84 RZ350: scary fast





==============================================================================