steering rack help

g&gmiller · #1 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 02:03 PM

hi everyone,
i've been doing suspension work on our 86 Contemporary and pulled the manual steering rack out of the car. i want to replace both inner and outer tie rods ends and the bellows boots. it is a ford rack and i can read the casting numbers. does anyone know what cars were used as primary racks for these cars or how to identify what this rack came out of? i'm also looking for urethane bushings if anyone knows a good place to find them and can lead me in that direction we would greatly appreciate the help.

thanks guys

g & g miller

badrich · #2 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 02:19 PM

My Contemporary was built with late model XKE suspension and steering, like a number of these machines. I replaced all the rubber bushings with urethane and it made a real difference. I think I got them (it's been a while) from XKE's Unlimited in San Luis Obispo. Good folks. Check out the Contemporary site here, you'll find it interesting. Rich

Danr55 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 02:19 PM

I'd be really surprised if it is a Ford rack. Most Contemporarys used a Jaguar XKE manual steering rack from a series I/II XKE. I just replaced mine and that's what it took.

The store in SLO is XK'x Unlimited. You can find a catalogue on line at xks.com. http://xks.com/

mickmate · #4 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 02:29 PM

I haven't seen a Ford rack used on them even on the coil over versions. If it is a Ford rack see if it compares to a Mustang II unit as that is a very popular rack for component cars.

g&gmiller · #5 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 03:41 PM

i was surprised it wasn't a jaguar rack but i have a catalog here with all jaguar racks in it and it's not even close to what is shown so i decided to pull it out and clean it off. the oval shape with the FORD in it sort of gave it away for me after i did that. i forgot about the mustang II's. thanks for the tip.

greg

g&gmiller · #6 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 03:51 PM

another thing i noticed. have you seen any jaguar racks that use 3 mounting bolts? this rack bolted up with 3 half inch bolts through rubber bushings. the jag pictures ive seen have what i would call mounting brackets.

mickmate · #7 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 06:21 PM

That's sounding like MII they use two bolts on the input shaft side and one on the other.

Rick Parker · #8 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 10:52 PM

The Ford manual racks only had 2 mounting points.

Danr55 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-13-2009, 09:37 AM

https://www.xksunlimited.com/xks/mer...?id=303&step=2

CHeck out this photo. It is the Jag manual steering rack. Looks like a total of four bolts to me. Perhaps you have something different. (Especially with the blue oval stamped on it.) Would be interesting to see a photo of the installation if you could manage one.

g&gmiller · #10 (**permalink**) 11-13-2009, 01:48 PM

hi all. here are a couple pictures of the rack. any help or thoughts would be great.

greg

Danr55 · #11 (**permalink**) 11-13-2009, 06:39 PM

http://www.autopart.com/rackpinion/R...DMUSTANGII.htm
It doesn't look like any of these.

mickmate · #12 (**permalink**) 11-13-2009, 08:16 PM

These guys list them but don't show a picture http://www.google.com/products?q=mus...ring+rack&aq=f
Dans listing talks about the 3 hole mount also.

Danr55 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-14-2009, 01:01 AM

THat's a great site Nick. THanks for the tip. You're right, as usual. It doesn't show the three hole mounting type but it does talk to it.

I did a little more research. Seems 1976 was the year for the three hole attachment rack. Here is a sight that sells replacement racks either new or rebuilt.
http://www.carsteering.com/addtocart.../80-70004.html

g&gmiller · #14 (**permalink**) 11-15-2009, 02:10 PM

hi guys,
thanks for all the help. i'm heading to a ford place tomorrow with the rack to see if we can track it down. i appreciate all the links. lots of good info.

greg miller