Steering rack rebuild, seal and bearing numbers Options

[Olympic 914]

Thought I would install my Turbo tie rod ends and found that one of the rack end bushings had stuck to the rack and pushed it out. ( probably during storage )

I found a rack rebuild thread by Wes V

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=95747

But it seems his rack is different than mine. his is a 75 mine is a 73 . I didn't know they changed them.

So it looks like I will have to disassemble my rack and clean up / polish the rack rod.

problem is I can't seem to find a number for the seal. Part #10 in diagram



Also the 911 rack ( and later 914 rack ? ) has a needle bearing at the top whereas, it looks like the 73 rack has caged ball bearings top and bottom.

My rack part number is 914.347.014.00

I haven't disassembled mine yet.

Does anyone have part numbers for the bearings and the seal? are the caged rollers the same number as in the 911 rack? # 6202. and if I can't find the seal could I just go with a sealed 6202 bearing (if available) on the top and skip the #10 seal?

I put PB blaster on the stuck end bushing last night and will work on it later today.

[Olympic 914]

Ok I got the rack disassembled and found the end bushing is really stuck on there.

I am reluctant to try heat since it will ruin the rubber on the bushing and after much searching I am unable to find a source for replacement end bushings.

It looks like this one will have to be destroyed removing it. I can then polish the rack rod.

Does anyone know of a source for the bushings? or have a good used one they would part with?

I did get the seal out with the numbers intact and have the bearing numbers now.

[DavidSweden]

Ok I got the rack disassembled and found the end bushing is really stuck on there.

I am reluctant to try heat since it will ruin the rubber on the bushing and after much searching I am unable to find a source for replacement end bushings.

It looks like this one will have to be destroyed removing it. I can then polish the rack rod.

Does anyone know of a source for the bushings? or have a good used one they would part with?

I did get the seal out with the numbers intact and have the bearing numbers now.

The end bushing is probably ok, I left mine alone. As you say you will probably destroy them if you try remove them and i do not believe replacements are available but I may be wrong. The cost of the bearings and seal are minimal so if you rebuild and the end bushes are bad then you haven't lost anything only time.

[Olympic 914]

The end bushing is probably ok, I left mine alone. As you say you will probably destroy them if you try remove them and i do not believe replacements are available but I may be wrong. The cost of the bearings and seal are minimal so if you rebuild and the end bushes are bad then you haven't lost anything only time.

the problem is the bushing is frozen onto the rack rod, not inside the casting.

when the bushing is in place and held with the snap rings the rack will not move.

I saw a couple month old thread on the bird board where member said they were manufacturing replacement bushings, and posted a picture. however I don't know the name of the business. I did find an email address and sent an email today inquiring about the parts. So we will see if I get a response..