1975 and up Super steering rack question.

[Mark 75 Super Convertible]

I was wondering if anyone overhauls or replaces the steering rack as part of the restoration of the front end of their car. I'm going to replace everything else when I get to that point (hopefully later this summer after the floor pans), and the rack is the only front end part not being replaced.. A quick search shows it not available WW. I did find a company in Michigan that does rack rebuilding, with services for foreign cars starting at $500 plus shipping. Any thoughts/opinions greatly appreciated! Thanks, Mark.

[zoti]

Can't help but I'd like to know as well.

[Dodgy]

I'm in the middle of rebuilding the rack on my 75 Super right now.

It is a pretty simple assembly and not complex to rebuild. I think wear in the principal mechanism is not very common.

There are a couple of off-the-shelf bearings that can/should be replaced, and replacement rubber gaiters are widely available.

The only part I haven't been able to source yet are the internal end stops. These are rubber or similar cylindrical plugs 33mm diameter and 15mm long. One of mine had deteiorated completely and the other was about half gone. So if anyone has found a solution for these I'd be interested to hear.
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'75 1303 (current project) owned since 1989!
'72 Squareback - full resto completed 2008 - now sold
356 Speedster kit, completed 2005 - now sold

[Mark 75 Super Convertible]

[Dodgy]

The references for the replacement bearings are as follows:

(1) 6001 (deep groove ball bearing, 28mm OD x 12mm ID x 8mm W)
The original bearing appeared to have a semi-open design on one side, but I think this is just the type of race used at the time. Replacement should be 'open' type.
This bearing supports the rack gear and takes both the axial and radial forces.

(2) HK1814RS (drawn cup needle roller bearing, 24mm OD x 18mm ID x 14mm W)
This bearing has an integral shield on one side (RS) which forms the external seal of the gear assembly at the steering column shaft. It is probably seized or gummed up after being exposed to the elements for so long, this may not be immediately noticeable without disassembly of the rack.
Note that there is no seating edge in the rack body behind the needle roller bearing, so the full internal face is accessible. It can be removed using either a bearing puller & slide hammer or by hammering a drift from the reverse face. However mine was seized in the bore, so could only be removed after I had ground away a line through the outer cup using a dremel tool allowing it to be crushed slightly.
_________________
'75 1303 (current project) owned since 1989!
'72 Squareback - full resto completed 2008 - now sold
356 Speedster kit, completed 2005 - now sold

[zoti]

[Dodgy]

I have taken some and will document the rebuild. But probably will make a separate thread rather than hijack this one further
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'75 1303 (current project) owned since 1989!
'72 Squareback - full resto completed 2008 - now sold
356 Speedster kit, completed 2005 - now sold

[finefettle]

This is all good to know as I was told they were “un rebuildable” by a reputable person before.
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1979 Bug project