[DeTomaso] bump steer help

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/12/10 11:55:37 AM, garth_rodericks at yahoo.com writes:

> I need to do this myself. Is one method better than the other? Are there 
> advantages or disadvantages to either?
> 
It's really your call. As I said, the rack-shim method is cheaper but also 
changes the Pantera's designed-in Ackermann toe-gain in turns. And unless 
you cut or grind 5/16" off both ends of both the rack mounts to compensate for 
the shims you'll be adding, you need longer gr-5 or -8 metric thread bolts 
to maintain stock thread engagement, and you'll also have to redrill the 
frame holes for the Bill Stroppe-designed rack-brace on all U.S. Panteras. The 
heim-joints and studs in the steering arms do not change Ackermann, but no 
one actually sells ALL the parts to do the changeover, and heim joints also 
tend to pound out over time and are not all greasable. Racers throw them away 
after every event, but street guys want stuff to last forever. 

Coincidently, a 1/2"-20 SAE thread heim-joint screws right onto a Pantera's 
stock metric steering rod! A second part one needs (IMHO) is heim-joint 
seals top & bottom to at least keep most of the water and larger chunks of 
road-mung out of the heim balls. And of course, the special studs with a Ford 
taper on one end and a straight thread on the other. Then you make your own 
circular spacers (or crudely, a stack of washers) until the bump-steer goes to 
a tolerable level. A little more involved than the rack-shim method, but 
all the above parts except the washer stack are for sale cheaply from Speedway 
Motors for dirt track racing. Good luck- J DeRyke