300 series steering column/steering rack problem

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WannabeStarShark
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300 series steering column/steering rack problem

Post by WannabeStarShark » 05 Jan 2013 06:03 pm

the problem ive got is that im changing my steering rack to a reconditioned one, the reconditioned one has a longer bar that connects to the steering column. The original rack has a shorter bar, i have tried to swap the two bars over but with no luck.

I was wondering if there is a different length steering column that i need to fit with the recon rack?

cheers Jordan

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trabitom99
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Re: 300 series steering column/steering rack problem

Post by trabitom99 » 05 Jan 2013 06:40 pm

Were you swapping a PAS rack for a non-PAS version, or vice versa? IIRC, PAS/non-PAS cars have a different lower steering column.

Tom
343 GL Touring B14.1E CVT (155) 98000kms 1980 (sold)
343 L Junior B14.3E MT4 (155) 229000kms 1981 (scrapped)
343 DLS B19A MT4 (155) 167900kms 1982
360 GL Injection B200F MT5 (231) 348598kms 1988 (scrapped)
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Speedy88
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Re: 300 series steering column/steering rack problem

Post by Speedy88 » 05 Jan 2013 07:30 pm

If it was me I would just chop the steering collumn and weld it back on, there's room for a couple of mm of tolerance due to the rubber attachment. Alternatively don't be a pikey and get yourself a new collumn, pretty easy to fit.
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Evoman
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Re: 300 series steering column/steering rack problem

Post by Evoman » 05 Jan 2013 08:30 pm

Speedy88 wrote:If it was me I would just chop the steering collumn and weld it back on, there's room for a couple of mm of tolerance due to the rubber attachment. Alternatively don't be a pikey and get yourself a new collumn, pretty easy to fit.
could swap it out for a custom cut piece of bamboo :P
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Speedy88
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Re: 300 series steering column/steering rack problem

Post by Speedy88 » 05 Jan 2013 10:10 pm

Yes! For teh weigh savings 4 teh driftorz!!!111
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classicswede
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Re: 300 series steering column/steering rack problem

Post by classicswede » 05 Jan 2013 10:43 pm

I think he must of ended up with one of those chepo ones ebay that are not right. Cutting and welding is going to be the only way to make it work but the welding needs to be good - no amuture bird poo or there will be no steering!
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mac
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Re: 300 series steering column/steering rack problem

Post by mac » 05 Jan 2013 11:45 pm

Huuumn!,

Am I getting senile but do the 360 manual racks not have an extended pinion shaft (about 180mm from memory) they certainly have a different column arrangement on the PAS cars (uj rather than rubber disc?)

The 1400/1700 racks are short pinion with the "early type" having a splined pinion and clamp on adapter, and the "later" version having a "T" end on the pinion to which the flex coupling fits.

Is it possible that WBShark has been sent a 360 rack not a 340 one?

As I said I'm getting old but I've definitely seen "long pinion" racks back in the old days.

Mac.
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macplaxton
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Re: 300 series steering column/steering rack problem

Post by macplaxton » 06 Jan 2013 12:44 am

My (albeit dodgy) memory says to me there are 3 manual racks and 1 PAS rack in the range, but then again I've been known wrong before.

1 early splined rack for "34x"
1 later t-bar rack for "34x"
1 t-bar rack for "360"
1 PAS rack for "360"
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WannabeStarShark
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Re: 300 series steering column/steering rack problem

Post by WannabeStarShark » 06 Jan 2013 01:36 pm

Mines a 1.7 340 saloon, I bought the recon rack off a guy on here so I have no idea if its an ebay special, I like the idea of the bamboo but I think I'll just cut it and weld it, hopefully straight :S

Cheeers Jordan

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mac
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Re: 300 series steering column/steering rack problem

Post by mac » 06 Jan 2013 03:11 pm

You almost certainly have a 360 rack there - I would definitely NOT shorten it by welding.

1. If it subsequently failed it would be down to you and your insurance co. would crucify you.
2. you run a real risk of welding heat affecting the surface treatment of the pinion leading to rapid wear..
3. to correctly weld shorten itthe pinion shaft would need to be sleeved and you don't have the space to play with.

Take the advice of an old fart (who has been an engineer all his life). Correctly identify the rack you have, sell it on
V3M (assuming it is a 300 rack) and buy the correct part - they are not that expensive! I don't want to sound too
dramatic but with steering it's not just your life potentially at stake.


if you are an experienced automotive engineer specialising in the design and fabrication of steering systems
then I apologise for the sucking of eggs and ask you to ignore this post.

Mac.
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Re: 300 series steering column/steering rack problem

Post by foggyjames » 07 Jan 2013 12:40 am

I would second Mac's call to avoid welding. If you were going to even attempt it, it would need to be mechanically locked together (i.e. male and female keying machined into each half), with the weld to just stop the two bits from parting, not transmitting any force to speak of. I just don't think it's worth it.

You're absolutely right - 360s without PAS had the rubber coupling much higher up, I presume to get the coupling away from the heat of the downpipe. If the new rack has a longer t-bar, it's probably from a 360. You should be able to swap the lower part of the column for one from a 360, and you'll be away. You can mix and match column parts - everything below the top UJ on my 1981 343 (1.4) is from an 89 360 with PAS.

cheers

James
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Re: 300 series steering column/steering rack problem

Post by classicswede » 15 Apr 2013 08:56 pm

The 3 differnt types can been seen here
http://www.classicswede.co.uk/Reconditi ... 71696.aspx
Dai

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Ride_on
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Re: 300 series steering column/steering rack problem

Post by Ride_on » 15 Apr 2013 10:02 pm

Dia, the 360 manual rack has the long bar part of the pinion. 360 PS is short clamp on spline type.
340s have short T bar part of the pinion. may be a 4th type splined clamp short type (pre 81)
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

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Re: 300 series steering column/steering rack problem

Post by classicswede » 15 Apr 2013 10:14 pm

The splined one is the early pre 81 type.
Dai

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