[David Kirkham]

A-Snake,

Good question!

The inner tie rod was worn quite badly on the socket joint where it attaches to the rack. We could "rebuild" it, but it would be VERY expensive as we would have to make new inner tie rods. "Rebuilding usually includes "replacing" a LOT of parts! We would have to make new inner tie rod races as well. Because they are in effect bearings we would have to make them out of a hardenable material and get the Rockwell at least into the very high 50's. Ideally, they would be made out of 17-4 H1150 and then nitrided but then the tie rods would be about $1000 each! Fine for the space shuttle, but not too good a choice for us mere mortals.

You could probably get away with making them in 17-4 H900 and then just running them. The would not rust that way and would PROBABLY last forever. But, they would only be in the low to mid 40's Rockwell C which is NOT enough for a bearing. They would wear out before the automotive standard of 50,000-100,000 miles. But with as many miles as THIS car is likely to see they would probably be fine.

Now you are starting to see the problems we face with these cars! It is all a game of compromises. If you use a nice steel that you can harden--it will rust. If you use a nice stainless that will not rust, you can't get it hard enough to turn into a bearing surface without horribly expensive processes--like nitriding. It is enough to keep me up at night practicing Chopin! Now you know why I play the piano so much. I have to clear my mind so I don't think about how to prevent rust and prevent Cobras from going on unintended off road excursions all day long!

That is the long answer and I feel like Harry Reid--long winded and waxing eloquent about nothing--and not anywhere near answering the question.

Short answer...

Yes, we could rebuild it, but it would probably cost several thousand dollars because the parts are no longer available and they would have to be custom made. In addition, the rebuild would take a month to make all the parts. So, we just replaced the rack until we have time (and enough racks) to rebuild them all at once and make it cost effective.