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.

[DavidSweden]

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.

I rebuilt the rack on my 912. Its quite easy but mark the position of the rack before disassembly. The bearing were easy to find as well as the seal they are standard size I just took them to an industrial bearing /seal supplier and they fixed me up. I went with the sealed bearings. Take it apart and you will see what you need.

[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.

[jmill]

Good racks should be easy to find. I swapped mine out with the 911 rack that came with my front suspension. Post a WTB in the classifieds. You might even get one for the cost of shipping.

[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..

[MikeM]

Contact Bruce Stone. I bought a really nice used one from him and it was cheap!!

[r_towle]

Dunk the end with th bushing into kerosene for a few days.
Then set up a bench vice adjusted just slightly larger than the rack bar, yet enough to fully support the bushing.
Hit the bar down to move the bushing.

[Olympic 914]

Sounds good, I'll give it a try.....

[Catorse]

I went down this road a month ago. None of the threads seem to be accurate for a 1970 rack. Not one part number matched up, and I wound up having to measure the seals and bearings and order ones that I thought were close.

In the end, I just picked up a reconditioned rack. It seems the seals, bearings, and bushings are some kind of industry secret because they could not be purchased commercially yet every "rebuilder" offered rebuilt racks with all these parts on them.

Super frustrating.

[Mikey914]

Dude, what do you need?
I make the pucks for Stoddard right now. You can buy them there no problem.

I would like to put together a seal kit for these, as I'm currently also working on the bellows too.

[r_towle]

Dude, what do you need?
I make the pucks for Stoddard right now. You can buy them there no problem.

I would like to put together a seal kit for these, as I'm currently also working on the bellows too.

Bushings on the ends of the rack case

[Mikey914]

Well I have the #7 cap, I'll look at the #19
I assume these have the same threading, not a left and right. Same part for both?

[r_towle]

Well I have the #7 cap, I'll look at the #19
I assume these have the same threading, not a left and right. Same part for both?

No threading, just held in by a clip.
That is what the notch is for.

I made mine from bronze, nothing was available at the time.

They get loose and worn out, white plastic.
The seal breaks down, then dirt gets in there.

Now, if you were to manufacture a new pinion gear to reduce the throw of the whole unit, you would sell more than a few.

A good kit should include all the seals and boots, along with the two bushings at the end, and the two little bearings for the pinion gear.

I recall that the pinion gear housing changed between early and late, so if you pick late to fabricate, you will pick up the 911 market also....it's the same rack.

[Harpo]

That would be awesome if there was a kit with all the right parts

David

[Mikey914]

Well I have the #7 cap, I'll look at the #19
I assume these have the same threading, not a left and right. Same part for both?

No threading, just held in by a clip.
That is what the notch is for.

I made mine from bronze, nothing was available at the time.

They get loose and worn out, white plastic.
The seal breaks down, then dirt gets in there.

Now, if you were to manufacture a new pinion gear to reduce the throw of the whole unit, you would sell more than a few.

A good kit should include all the seals and boots, along with the two bushings at the end, and the two little bearings for the pinion gear.

I recall that the pinion gear housing changed between early and late, so if you pick late to fabricate, you will pick up the 911 market also....it's the same rack.

Yes I can make the pinion gears. When you say reduce the throw if the unit ar you talking bout changing the pitch to make it travel further with less turning of the wheel?

[r_towle]

Yes, exactly.
I believe it was called a short rack, but the net affect is less steering wheel turning to get the wheels to turn the same amount.

Again, same rack as the 911.
That part would sell.

Also, if you want to think about making a STOCK steering wheel spacer for a 911 there are lots of us tall people that would buy it instead of buying aftermarket wheels.

Rich

[Olympic 914]

Well finished up the steering rack.

Turns out the end bushings are really NLA...

managed to save mine. put a little heat on the rack and with some more PB blaster I got them to move. then shined the rack up with some fine emery cloth on the lathe.






Ready for the new bearings..



and these are the bearings that are used .

FAG 16002

and the seal is a 40x28x7 single lip

SKF 564085




if any one is thinking about doing this, it really is not a hard job. little trick getting out the lower bearing but other than that its a straight forward job.
good idea to mark the rack and housing with a dot of paint so they go back together the same way.


Done.

[r_towle]

Very nice

[turnaround89]

What is the little trick to removing the bearing at the bottom of the steering rack?

I have mine 90% pulled apart and would like to order new bearings and the new seal.

The only parts I haven't removed from the rack are the end bushings and the bottom bearing.