Project "Selfmade Rack and Pinion" (lots of pics)
#1
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Thread Starter
Project "Selfmade Rack and Pinion" (lots of pics)
Hi all!
A few days ago I started a new project because I wanted a perfect steering for my Corvette.
There are some kits out there but for several reasons I wanted to build my own Rack and Pinion in a "heavy duty construction".
But first off, thank you so much to Mr.Vette (Gene) and vette427sbc (Chris) for their help and support!
The first item I built was the brackets for the rack. Thanks RickyBerg for the idea!
Here we go:
mounted on the rack
Then I placed the rack under the car to see how it looks like:
For the proper position of the rack I had first to fabricate the steering shaft.
Turning on the lathe for the proper diameter:
milling the surfaces for the u-joints:
done
and assembled with the u-joints:
Next I fabricated the tie-rods, also in a heavy duty construction:
outer tie-rod ends from Moog
selfmade tie-rod sleeves (Ĝ 22mm) and heim-joints:
and here ready assembled the heavy duty tie rods
Now I coud go on with the brackets from the frame to the rack:
First off, I made a template of carton:
then of a flat-steel (10mm thick)
after some re-work:
and here I finaly could make the first weld spot:
here you can see it with the steering shaft
A few days ago I started a new project because I wanted a perfect steering for my Corvette.
There are some kits out there but for several reasons I wanted to build my own Rack and Pinion in a "heavy duty construction".
But first off, thank you so much to Mr.Vette (Gene) and vette427sbc (Chris) for their help and support!
The first item I built was the brackets for the rack. Thanks RickyBerg for the idea!
Here we go:
mounted on the rack
Then I placed the rack under the car to see how it looks like:
For the proper position of the rack I had first to fabricate the steering shaft.
Turning on the lathe for the proper diameter:
milling the surfaces for the u-joints:
done
and assembled with the u-joints:
Next I fabricated the tie-rods, also in a heavy duty construction:
outer tie-rod ends from Moog
selfmade tie-rod sleeves (Ĝ 22mm) and heim-joints:
and here ready assembled the heavy duty tie rods
Now I coud go on with the brackets from the frame to the rack:
First off, I made a template of carton:
then of a flat-steel (10mm thick)
after some re-work:
and here I finaly could make the first weld spot:
here you can see it with the steering shaft
Last edited by Günther-C3; 01-28-2012 at 08:26 AM.
#2
Pro
Thread Starter
Here we go on with the passenger side. I thought it would be easy as at the drivers side, but it wasn´t. But with the CNC-milling machine it was not an issue
Template:
on the milling machine:
and here the template vs. the steel bracket:
ready for weld spot:
As you can see, there are no reinforcements at the brackets. I weld in the reinforcements at the end when I can get sure, that everything fits properly.
Günther
Template:
on the milling machine:
and here the template vs. the steel bracket:
ready for weld spot:
As you can see, there are no reinforcements at the brackets. I weld in the reinforcements at the end when I can get sure, that everything fits properly.
Günther
#3
Pro
Thread Starter
Now I can go on with the bracket for the tie-rods to the rack. Here you can see the prototype welded together of 2 parts. It´s only a prototype and the final part will be a bended sheet of steel.
Pics of it will follow next week. But here the prototype:
For the proper position of the tie-rod pivot point I´ll have to make a tool to measure bump steer.
This fotos will also follow the next days.
On the picture below you can see the tie-rod clamped on the bracket to figure out bump-steering. But as promised, a detailed description and pics will follow.
Here preview:
I hope you enjoy the documentation
Regards, Günther
Pics of it will follow next week. But here the prototype:
For the proper position of the tie-rod pivot point I´ll have to make a tool to measure bump steer.
This fotos will also follow the next days.
On the picture below you can see the tie-rod clamped on the bracket to figure out bump-steering. But as promised, a detailed description and pics will follow.
Here preview:
I hope you enjoy the documentation
Regards, Günther
#5
Pro
Thread Starter
To fabricate the brackets is verry difficult because the rack is verry, verry close the the motor mount bracket. So for me it is not possible to make a bracket that fits to 100% your car.
I can fabricate the tie rods for you, that is not a problem. PM me if want some.
Günther
I can fabricate the tie rods for you, that is not a problem. PM me if want some.
Günther
#8
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Member Since: Jun 2004
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My compliments on your workmanship!
The tie-rod setup caught my attention. I'm in the process of doing a similar thing, but for the rear toe-rods on the C4 suspension under my '69.
Keep up the good work.
The tie-rod setup caught my attention. I'm in the process of doing a similar thing, but for the rear toe-rods on the C4 suspension under my '69.
Keep up the good work.
#10
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with the type of car lift that i absolutely hate! the post on either side of the car with 2 arms that swing out... i put my 91 dodge shadow (unibody) on one and it temporarily warped my car! the doors wouldn't open well for a few days, and my driver door window came out of it's track.
#11
Drifting
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C3 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
NICE RACK! (sorry)
Those brackets are beautiful. Wish I had the tools and talent to do stuff like that.
Those brackets are beautiful. Wish I had the tools and talent to do stuff like that.
#13
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St. Jude Donor '08
with the type of car lift that i absolutely hate! the post on either side of the car with 2 arms that swing out... i put my 91 dodge shadow (unibody) on one and it temporarily warped my car! the doors wouldn't open well for a few days, and my driver door window came out of it's track.
#16
Drifting
Günther-C3, Great work, I like the documentation you showed building the support brackets, that is exactly the way I did mine, but have found that most people that ask me how to build them, don't under stand my explanation.
Have you had a chance to drive it and give your opinion on the rack verses the Steering box upgrade?
Again, nice work.
Riggs.
Have you had a chance to drive it and give your opinion on the rack verses the Steering box upgrade?
Again, nice work.
Riggs.
#18
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Thread Starter
Riggs, the steering conversion is not finished. This week I made a tool to measure the bump steering and so I can figure out the best pivot point for the tie-rods.
I think next week I can determine the pivot points and then I can finish the brackets (welding and weld in the reinforcements).
RobbSalzman:
The lathe and the mill doesn´t belong to me. They belong to the company where I work.
Günther
I think next week I can determine the pivot points and then I can finish the brackets (welding and weld in the reinforcements).
RobbSalzman:
The lathe and the mill doesn´t belong to me. They belong to the company where I work.
Günther