glava2876

I am pretty sure that the rebuilt rack that I bought from NAPA has an internal problem.

1) I belive that the 84 with Z51 rack should be approximately 2 turns lock to lock.
2) I installed the rebuilt rack, flushed it and then took it to be aligned.
3) Right now I have the following;

GOOD STUFF
Steering wheel perfect center.
Car tracks perfectly staright.
The tie rod ends have the same amount of threads showing 1/2" and the measurement from the tie rod threads to the back of the boot is the same on both sides.

PROBLEM
I can turn the steering wheel to the left 1 full turn before hitting the stop.
I can only turn the steering wheel to the right about 3/4 before hitting the stop.
At speed, this is no problem, but when driving slow the difference in turning radius is big.
Has anyone had this type of problem, or is there something that I missed.

jmgtp

Did you have it aligned?
I had another car that I replaced the rack in and it did some really weird things before I had it aligned - it would track straight too but turning was bizarre feeling.

Aardwolf

Maybe it's attached wrong. When I installed mine I made very sure to turn the rack and find the center of the travel. Then hook it in.

glava2876

You'll note that I indicated in my post that I brought it to be aligned.

glava2876

I agree that the center of travel would be good, but the steering wheel only rotates 1 3/4 lock to lock, which is not close to 2 turns lock to lock that it should have.
Am I wrong -can anyone with an 84 with Z51 or Z52 check their revolutions lock to lock.

in-vette-uation

I just went and checked mine. I put a z51 rack in several years ago. It's exactly 2 full turns lock to lock for mine. However, I noticed that's it's just over a full turn (about 370°) to the left and not quite a full turn to the right (about 350°). Hope this helps.

glava2876

Thank you very much -my lock to lock is only about 1 3/4 or a little LESS -it is no where near 2 turns lock to lock. At least this may confirm that it was installed correctly!
But now I'll have to pull the bad one out & install another -and pay for another alignment!

in-vette-uation

it really is a bear getting it in and out of there. Hope it goes smoothly friend.

glava2876

Actually it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be when I replaced it the first time. The hardest part was getting things loose and that made it take longer. When I put it together, I used anti-seize and WD-40 when assembling, so it should be easier and I know what else to remove.
I also think that the 84 is easier to get to because of the cross-throttle body Vs the tuned port.
Wow, a benefit to the cross-thottle body, who'd have thought!
Thanks,
glen

kenmohr

There are two racks. One regular 2 turn and a sport 1 3/3 turn. Look into this before you do all that work again.

glava2876

I have never heard of anything less than 2 turns for the Z51/ Z52. I believe that is the sport 13:1 ratio Vs non- Z51/ Z52 @ 15:1.
Even if there was a rack with less revolutions, then the problem would be that the steering wheel would be off center or I'd have to set the tie rods at different lenghts to compensate?
Since everything is correct except the short turn to the right, I agree with the those that have said the rack has an internal problem.

kenmohr

Not sure of the ratios. Changed the rack in my 89 coupe. There were two to choose from.. Center is the same no mater what the ratio is. The ratio just gets you to the other end sooner.

383vett

1 3/3 is the same as 2. I have an 84 Z51 and get about 2 1/8 stop to stop. To the op, as discussed in your previous post, there is something wrong with your rebuilt rack. Just take it back to Napa, tell them it binds or whatever and they will exchange it for another one. If you get yourself a toe gauge, you can realign it yourself.

kenmohr

bairs.com

8959 Quick ratio
8960 Stock ratio

Got mine from GM

glava2876

Thanks, NAPA has one on order for me no problem and as I said, once the tires and fan are pulled, it really wasn't that tough a job.
The full alignment was done after the last rack was installed -so I am going to try and do the toe in @ home.
I don't have a toe gauge, but can do it the poor mans way with string? Or maybe the shop that just did it would give me a price break if I only want them to look at the toe in.
I know my shop manual calls for a slight toe-in, but from what I have been reading on this site, it may be better to go with little to zero toe in?
I do want to protect my new tires!
Thanks,
Glen

383vett

For the street a small amount of toe in is good. For the track, zero or even slight positive is recommended.

espop125

My rack is centered but my lock to lock is just shy of 2 and half lock to lock same as the factory one I just took out. I took the boots off and my driver side inner tie rod end is 2 inches longer than the passenger side. Dealer told me that the inner tie rod end is off of a 88 to 92 vette

samsonb

I say that is something one could do to help and see if the rebuilt rack is bad. Measure the tie rods on your old rack. Then measure the tie rods on the new rack to see how off it is.

espop125

that is what I did and it is 2 inches longer

samsonb

Would that be due to they didn't put the parts back in correctly, or they are getting the standard and quick ratio parts mixed up? If I have to replace my rack. I'll make sure to measure the rods on my old rack to compare to the new rack.