[DeTomaso] Ferrari 308 rack works perfectly!

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/23/14 13 51 34, julian_kift at hotmail.com writes:


> Let me know when you have a comparison as I'll get one or two of those 
> racks if they fit.
> 
> 
> 
>>>Here's the short answer:

SCORE!

I was running around all day today and didn't get home until after dark, so 
it's too late to take photos.   But I unpacked the new Ferrari 308 rack and 
compared it to both the GT5 rack (which is really a Ferrari Testarossa 
rack) and a 1970s Pantera rack I had on-hand.

They are dimensionally exactly the same in all notable regards.   The two 
Pantera-sourced racks have 3 1/4 turns lock-to-lock while the new rack has 
ever so slightly less (perhaps 1/16th of a turn), which either means it has 
ever so slightly less throw, or a slightly faster ratio (I'd guess the 
former).   Movement seemed to be the same lateral distance for a given rotation of 
the pinion shaft.

The rack mounting dimensions appear to be the same, although I will 
test-fit Pantera mounting brackets on the Ferrari rack tomorrow when I take photos. 
  I did test-fit a Pantera tie rod end onto the Ferrari tie rod and it fit 
perfectly.

One notable improvement lies in the area of adjusting the interface between 
the rack and pinion gears.   On the Pantera, this is done with a fairly 
barbaric method, involving removing a cover and then adding or subtracting 
incredibly thin shims.   On the new rack, there is a more conventional adjuster, 
a threaded adjuster with a locknut, offering infinite adjustment capability 
to compensate for wear.

Country of origin is not indicated anywhere, so I would have to assume that 
it is made in China or Taiwan.   Whether or not that's a bad thing is a 
matter of individual perspective, I suppose.

If you have a stock rack that has blown-out boots and needs a bushing, 
you're looking at $80-100 in parts, plus your own labor to repair it.   Some may 
be able to justify that instead of $214 for a rack that's brand new from 
end-to-end; others maybe not.

More details/photos to follow tomorrow (hopefully) or Wednesday....

Mike
-------------- next part --------------
   In a message dated 2/23/14 13 51 34, julian_kift at hotmail.com writes:

     Let me know when you have a comparison as I'll get one or two of
     those racks if they fit.

   >>>Here's the short answer:
   SCORE!
   I was running around all day today and didn't get home until after
   dark, so it's too late to take photos.  But I unpacked the new Ferrari
   308 rack and compared it to both the GT5 rack (which is really a
   Ferrari Testarossa rack) and a 1970s Pantera rack I had on-hand.
   They are dimensionally exactly the same in all notable regards.  The
   two Pantera-sourced racks have 3 1/4 turns lock-to-lock while the new
   rack has ever so slightly less (perhaps 1/16th of a turn), which either
   means it has ever so slightly less throw, or a slightly faster ratio
   (I'd guess the former).  Movement seemed to be the same lateral
   distance for a given rotation of the pinion shaft.
   The rack mounting dimensions appear to be the same, although I will
   test-fit Pantera mounting brackets on the Ferrari rack tomorrow when I
   take photos.  I did test-fit a Pantera tie rod end onto the Ferrari tie
   rod and it fit perfectly.
   One notable improvement lies in the area of adjusting the interface
   between the rack and pinion gears.  On the Pantera, this is done with a
   fairly barbaric method, involving removing a cover and then adding or
   subtracting incredibly thin shims.  On the new rack, there is a more
   conventional adjuster, a threaded adjuster with a locknut, offering
   infinite adjustment capability to compensate for wear.
   Country of origin is not indicated anywhere, so I would have to assume
   that it is made in China or Taiwan.  Whether or not that's a bad thing
   is a matter of individual perspective, I suppose.
   If you have a stock rack that has blown-out boots and needs a bushing,
   you're looking at $80-100 in parts, plus your own labor to repair it.
   Some may be able to justify that instead of $214 for a rack that's
   brand new from end-to-end; others maybe not.
   More details/photos to follow tomorrow (hopefully) or Wednesday....
   Mike