[DeTomaso] Stearing Rack Rebuild Information Location ?

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

Bud, the ONLY source of factory rebuild info for the Cam Gears steering 
rack, is in the light blue cover Pantera Service Highlights manual, published 
by Ford/DeTomaso. Beyond that, multiple authors over the dacades have 
published various articles in the Newsletter. 
The main things to remember are to completely remove all the bits of stock 
plastic/rubber/steel bushing, and after sizing the steel cup, order the 
proper sized bronze bushing. 
Run a file across the rack-gear teeth edges to remove any burs sticking out 
before trying to install a new bushing and rack-gear into the housing. 
Drill a dimple into the bushing for the lockscrew using the rack housing hole as 
a guide. Do not drill all the way through; reinstall the bushing's 
lockscrew with Locktite. If the bushing comes loose, steering will be very sloppy 
and will lock the steering in right turns. Hopefully you find this before you 
get on the freeway, unlike others to which this has happened!
Boots on both ends need to be leak-free and cleaned of deteriorated lube 
which will resemble old, smelly grease full of particles. It's simpler to add 
the lube- little more than 1/3 pint of 80W90 diff- lube recommended by 
Ford/DeTomaso, before returning the rack to its position. New boots are available 
cheap at most vendors (the ones sold by Larry Stock in Carson City are very 
close to OEM unlike others on the market). The boot hose-clamps are odd 
narrow ones not conveniently available at most cheap auto parts stores, so some 
"mechanics" substitute tie-wraps or even baling wire. Words fail me.... 
Good luck- J Deryke