Beam rub

[Slgbg]

Hi, I recently picked up a ‘64 Baja bug and I’m working through the myriad of problems.. One of them being the front tires rub the beam really badly. I’ve been searching for info and can’t find a solution for my particular case, most of the info seems to be about lowered cars, drop spindles and narrow beams…
My beam is 39.5” wide, I don’t know anything else other than my steering rack is SACO.
Can anyone help with a solution here?

[Slgbg]

P.s I’m working my way through the rats nest you see there!

[jimmyhoffa]

Wright and SACO used to have rack stops which were really just threaded sleeves welded to plates, which bolted to the bottom of the rack. You could adjust the screws to change how much the tie rod flag sticking out of the bottom could travel.
_________________
1974 Chenowth 2RL #1244 Street Legal
My other car isn't ridiculous.

[jsturtlebuggy]

These are steering stops on a Latest Rage rack and pinion.
They are the socket head bolts(Allen head) at each end by the boots. You adjust bolts out so that they contact the center piece tie rod end attach to.
SACO steering stops bolted on using the bolt holding lower plate on rack.
If you can fabricate, they would be simple to make.

The angle the rack mount is welded to beam, you are probably getting a lot of toe change (bump steer). Rack mount should be were pinion (part were steering shaft attaches) is about 15 degrees pointing up.
_________________
Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960

[Slgbg]

[jsturtlebuggy]

Ok I finally able to get back to you.
Here a few pictures of the stops on a rack & pinion. These are welded on were the SACO rack stops are bolted on using the lower plate mounting bolts.
Having these you can adjust them to keep tires from rubbing on chassis.

For angle of rack mount this is on a Chenowth chassis that has frame work above steering shaft that only aiiowed to mount at 12 degrees instead of the 15 degrees I mount other racks at.

_________________
Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960

[dustymojave]

I give Joseph's info 2 Thumbs UP!
_________________
Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet.

[66 Shorty]

Would you guys say the "Latest Rage" rack is a good alternative to finding a SACO, now that they've closed down shop & no longer making them???

I'm still in the middle (slow process) of building mine, I have a widened Thing beam with a Thing steering box on mine & have been wanting to change it to an EPS Rack instead...

What are your thoughts on that?

[jimmyhoffa]

Recently made SACO racks weren't that good, mainly finish and fit issues. I have one that was not so great, and several vendors would agree this was the case.

I would say most comparable to the older SACO racks that were "made with love" are the new Kartek racks.

https://www.kartek.com/parts/kartek-offroad-151-ra...beams.html
_________________
1974 Chenowth 2RL #1244 Street Legal
My other car isn't ridiculous.

[66 Shorty]

[jsturtlebuggy]

The Latest Rage is a 1 to 1 ratio and a very cheap copy of the original Wright Place rack and pinion. I am using it on a sand buggy.
If you plan on using on using your vehicle for street or off road abuse, I would not use the Latest Rage rack and pinion.
Find a good SACO or buy the KarTek rack and pinion as it will last a lot longer.
_________________
Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960

[66 Shorty]

[jimmyhoffa]

In the summer I drive my buggy with a 1.5 rack on the street, and as a guy who probably has 10,000 street and off-road miles on a 1.5 rack, I certainly wouldn't want a 1:1. I think that's sand car stuff. 1.5 isn't what I would call "twitchy" but it's sure close.
_________________
1974 Chenowth 2RL #1244 Street Legal
My other car isn't ridiculous.

[66 Shorty]

I just picked up a Kartek rack for my buggy... now I'm going to go to the junk yard tomorrow and look for an EPS that I can adapt to it...

I'm not sure what the best set up is but I've seen that people get them from a prius or corrola... not sure what else I should be looking for. Any info would be great!

[PhillipM]

[jimmyhoffa]

Phillip now that I look at your car picture, I notice your front tires are notably smaller than mine, based on how you use the car. I bet that's a variable worth tossing into the mix too, since I'm doing more rock-clambering and the like than you. I think the leverage over my larger tires is not something I could sacrifice any more of when a tire is jammed between rocks or I'm sliding backwards down a hill. I could see being convinced on 1:1 in more of a rally-type usage and tire choice setting.

[PhillipM]

I have power steering so that's not really an issue even when there's rocks or stream beds.

I wouldn't say it's twitchy though, even at speed, that's as much a geometery thing as the rack itself I'd say.

[jimmyhoffa]

[PhillipM]

About 7-8 degrees.