[DeTomaso] re mounting the rack and pinion

[Forest Goodhart]

Note that the pinch bolt must be removed to allow the split coupling to slide on 
far enough and then the bolt installed.




________________________________
From: "MikeLDrew at aol.com" <MikeLDrew at aol.com>
To: claywillmott at hotmail.com; detomaso at realbig.com
Sent: Wed, August 3, 2011 7:39:12 PM
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] re mounting the rack and pinion


In a message dated 8/3/11 19 33 19, MikeLDrew at aol.com writes:


> >>>They do.   There is a pinch bolt which clamps the splined coupler onto
> the splined portion of the pinion.   There is a circumferential groove
> machined into the pinion, through which the pinch bolt passes.   So you 
> have to
> slide the splined coupler down far enough until the pinch bolt will pass
> through the hole in the coupler, and through that machined groove.   The 
> end of
> the coupler will be just about at the end of the splines on the pinion 
> gear
> at that point.
> 

I forgot to mention that this is often easier said than done.  The secret 
is to NOT mount the rack securely to the body, initially.  Just loosely 
tighten the bolts securing the cast iron rack mounting clamps, so that the rack 
is nominally located, but free to rotate within the clamps.  Even the 
slightest angular mismatch between the splined pinion and the coupler will 
prevent the coupler from sliding over the pinion.

Pulling the coupler over the pinion while slowly rotating the rack housing 
in the clamps will ultimately enable the two to mate properly.  It's often 
a job for two people, with one person in the wheelwell conrolling the two 
halves, and another person lightly tapping with a hammer and a punch on the 
flat surface of the sliding coupler inside the cabin.  Occasionally the 
splined coupler will be so tight that it won't freely pass over the pinion; in 
that case, hammering a screwdriver into the split portion to open it up 
slightly will allow it to move properly.

This job can be VERY easy, or it can be a real pain in the ass.  Every car 
is different in this regard, it seems.

Once you have the coupler properly located, then tighten the pinch bolt.  
Then don't forget to tighten the four rack clamp mounting bolts!

Mike
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