Rack and pinion rebuild

[lyletrudell]

I pulled my steering rack and pinion apart today. Everything looked good except for the pinion shaft bushings. They look like they had rubber around them, but it has deteriated after 38 years of use. The rubber was totally gone and the pinion shaft was so loose I don't see how you could drive it!?
I was thinking of making some poly bushing sleeves to fit around the steel sleeves. I am sure someone has already fixed these before, any ideas?
Also my Ball joints and tie rod ends are in good condition, but the boots are torn and dry rotted. I will be looking for after market boots to keep ther dirt and water out.
Lyle

[brad fenn]

I have fix several of those. I just clean them up and then use some caps that come on new A/C hoses and other lines or fittings. These caps are not rubber, put a poly-vinyl or something. They are usually red or blue. Anyway I just cut the end off the caps and they fit like a glove around the bushing and in the rack housing. The come in all sizes,but I don't know where you can buy them. I have just accumulated them through the years. You could try an A/C shop.  And as far as the boots for tie rods and ball joints, I don't know of any specific to the 600, but I know they are available for other cars,so I suggest to just look around.
From:
lyletrudell To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com Sent:
Tue, August 24, 2010 9:16:08 PM Subject:
[anzhonda600owners] Rack and pinion rebuild
I pulled my steering rack and pinion apart today. Everything looked good except for the pinion shaft bushings. They look like they had rubber around them, but it has deteriated after 38 years of use. The rubber was totally gone and the pinion shaft was so loose I don't see how you could drive it!?
I was thinking of making some poly bushing sleeves to fit around the steel sleeves. I am sure someone has already fixed these before, any ideas?
Also my Ball joints and tie rod ends are in good condition, but the boots are torn and dry rotted. I will be looking for after market boots to keep ther dirt and water out.
Lyle

[friend]

Lyle;
As I said many times, the ball joints and tie rod ends are always in good shape, it's the pinion bushings.  Try some conduit around the original brass bushings after cleaning them up.  It will make for a very nice bushing.
Bill

> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com]
> On Behalf Of
> lyletrudell
> Sent:
> Tuesday, August 24, 2010 7:16 PM
> To:
> anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> Subject:
> [anzhonda600owners] Rack
> and pinion rebuild
> I pulled my steering rack and pinion apart today. Everything looked good > except for the pinion shaft bushings. They look like they had rubber around > them, but it has deteriated after 38 years of use. The rubber was totally gone > and the pinion shaft was so loose I don't see how you could drive it!?
> I
> was thinking of making some poly bushing sleeves to fit around the steel > sleeves. I am sure someone has already fixed these before, any ideas?
> Also
> my Ball joints and tie rod ends are in good condition, but the boots are torn > and dry rotted. I will be looking for after market boots to keep ther dirt and > water out.
> Lyle

[lyletrudell]

Thanks for the replies.
Bill I found the page you wrote on repairing the rack & pinion in the file section, good info. You said to use rubber hose around the pinion steel bushings. I will see if I have any, if not I will make some sleeves.
Simple to make.
Lyle

--- In
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
, wrote:
> Lyle;
> As I said many times, the ball joints and tie rod ends are always in
> good shape, it's the pinion bushings. Try some conduit around the original
> brass bushings after cleaning them up. It will make for a very nice
> bushing.
> Bill
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
]On Behalf Of lyletrudell
> Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 7:16 PM
> To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [anzhonda600owners] Rack and pinion rebuild
> I pulled my steering rack and pinion apart today. Everything looked good
> except for the pinion shaft bushings. They look like they had rubber around
> them, but it has deteriated after 38 years of use. The rubber was totally
> gone and the pinion shaft was so loose I don't see how you could drive it!?
> I was thinking of making some poly bushing sleeves to fit around the steel
> sleeves. I am sure someone has already fixed these before, any ideas?
> Also my Ball joints and tie rod ends are in good condition, but the boots
> are torn and dry rotted. I will be looking for after market boots to keep
> ther dirt and water out.
> Lyle

[JOHN BURKHIMER]

quick question on the rack and pinion-
    I have about 4 or 5 inches of free play in the steering wheel.  I'm sure there are a few reasons for this, but mostly what seems to be worn when others have this problem?
john
richboro, pa

--- On
Wed, 8/25/10, billmyong@...

wrote:
From: billmyong@...
Subject: RE: [anzhonda600owners] Rack and pinion rebuild
To: anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2010, 3:29 AM
Lyle;
As I said many times, the ball joints and tie rod ends are always in good shape, it's the pinion bushings.  Try some conduit around the original brass bushings after cleaning them up.  It will make for a very nice bushing.
Bill
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com [mailto:anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com] > On Behalf Of > lyletrudell > Sent:
> Tuesday, August 24, 2010 7:16 PM
> To:
> anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> Subject:
> [anzhonda600owners] Rack and pinion rebuild
> I pulled my steering rack and pinion apart today. Everything looked good except for the pinion shaft bushings. They look like they had rubber around them, but it has deteriated after 38 years of use. The rubber was totally gone and the pinion shaft was so loose I don't see how you could drive it!?
> I was thinking of making some poly bushing sleeves to fit around the steel sleeves. I am sure someone has already fixed these before, any ideas?
> Also my Ball joints and tie rod ends are in good condition, but the boots are torn and dry rotted. I will be looking for after market boots to keep ther dirt and water out.
> Lyle

[lyletrudell]

Hi John, both of my coupes had a lot of play in the steering also.
Others members have done this, but I will add my thoughts.
I am still at the shop, so I have 2 Rack & Pinion units apart in front of me. I see very little wear on the rack teeth or shaft and the bushings that support it look good. The pinion teeth and shaft diameters also show very little wear.
The problem is the pinion bushings.
They are just a simple steel sleeve with a rubber bushing molded around it.
Whatever rubber material was used was not able to take the chemicals in the grease. So the rubber disolved and the steel part left just flops around. Real loose!!
I will bet your pinion bushings are bad.
An easy way to check it, fron inside the car look at the steering shaft universal joint closest to the fire wall. Turn the steering wheel left and right and look for a side movement. If you have play then the bushings are shot.
Of course also check the universal joints for play, both of mine are tight.
Also check tie rods and ball joints for play, again both of mine are tight.
Bill has a nice write up in the "Files" section about a rebuild.
This a dirty job, lots of old grease. Also the tie rod ends were a real pain to remove on one of the cars, the others came right off!
The locking tabs were also hard to bend, a small chisel and punch worked but it's hard to reach. Like Bill say's don't damage the tab, don't think you could find another one.
Also clean & check the rack boots for damage.
I will be making some outer sleeves out of Delrin or polyurathane to replace the rubber that is gone.
I will post how it works out.
Lyle

--- In
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
, JOHN BURKHIMER wrote:
> quick question on the rack and pinion-
>     I have about 4 or 5 inches of free play in the steering wheel.  I'm sure there are a few reasons for this, but mostly what seems to be worn when others have this problem?
> john
> richboro, pa
> --- On Wed, 8/25/10, billmyong@... wrote:
> From: billmyong@...
> Subject: RE: [anzhonda600owners] Rack and pinion rebuild
> To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2010, 3:29 AM
> Lyle;
>     As I said many times, the ball joints and tie rod ends are always in good shape, it's the pinion bushings.  Try some conduit around the original brass bushings after cleaning them up.  It will make for a very nice bushing.
> Bill
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
]On Behalf Of lyletrudell
> Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 7:16 PM
> To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [anzhonda600owners] Rack and pinion rebuild
> I pulled my steering rack and pinion apart today. Everything looked good except for the pinion shaft bushings. They look like they had rubber around them, but it has deteriated after 38 years of use. The rubber was totally gone and the pinion shaft was so loose I don't see how you could drive it!?
> I was thinking of making some poly bushing sleeves to fit around the steel sleeves. I am sure someone has already fixed these before, any ideas?
> Also my Ball joints and tie rod ends are in good condition, but the boots are torn and dry rotted. I will be looking for after market boots to keep ther dirt and water out.
> Lyle

[JOHN BURKHIMER]

great lyle-please post when you get the sleves made
thanks
john b

--- On
Wed, 8/25/10, lyletrudell

wrote:
From: lyletrudell
Subject: [anzhonda600owners] Re: Rack and pinion rebuild
To: anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2010, 8:47 PM
Hi John, both of my coupes had a lot of play in the steering also.
Others members have done this, but I will add my thoughts.
I am still at the shop, so I have 2 Rack & Pinion units apart in front of me. I see very little wear on the rack teeth or shaft and the bushings that support it look good. The pinion teeth and shaft diameters also show very little wear.
The problem is the pinion bushings.
They are just a simple steel sleeve with a rubber bushing molded around it.
Whatever rubber material was used was not able to take the chemicals in the grease. So the rubber disolved and the steel part left just flops around. Real loose!!
I will bet your pinion bushings are bad.
An easy way to check it, fron inside the car look at the steering shaft universal joint closest to the fire wall. Turn the steering wheel left and right and look for a side movement. If you have play then the bushings are shot.
Of course also check the
universal joints for play, both of mine are tight.
Also check tie rods and ball joints for play, again both of mine are tight.
Bill has a nice write up in the "Files" section about a rebuild.
This a dirty job, lots of old grease. Also the tie rod ends were a real pain to remove on one of the cars, the others came right off!
The locking tabs were also hard to bend, a small chisel and punch worked but it's hard to reach. Like Bill say's don't damage the tab, don't think you could find another one.
Also clean & check the rack boots for damage.
I will be making some outer sleeves out of Delrin or polyurathane to replace the rubber that is gone.
I will post how it works out.
Lyle
--- In
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
, JOHN BURKHIMER
wrote:
> quick question on the rack and pinion-
> �
> � � �  I have about 4 or 5 inches of free play in the steering wheel.�  I'm sure there are a few reasons� for this, but mostly what seems to be worn when others have this problem?
> john
> richboro, pa
> --- On Wed, 8/25/10, billmyong@... wrote:
> From: billmyong@...
> Subject: RE: [anzhonda600owners] Rack and pinion rebuild
> To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2010, 3:29 AM
> �
> Lyle;
> �
� � �  As I said many times, the ball joints and tie rod ends� are always in good shape, it's the pinion bushings.�  Try some conduit around the original brass bushings after cleaning them up.�  It will make for a very nice bushing.
> �
> Bill
> �
> �
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
]On Behalf Of lyletrudell
> Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 7:16 PM
> To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [anzhonda600owners] Rack and pinion rebuild
> �
> I pulled my steering rack and pinion apart today. Everything looked good except for the pinion shaft bushings. They look like they had rubber around them, but it has deteriated after 38 years of use. The rubber was totally gone and the pinion shaft was so loose I don't see how you could drive it!?
> I was thinking of making some poly bushing sleeves to fit around the steel sleeves. I am sure someone has already fixed these before, any ideas?
> Also my Ball joints and tie rod ends are in good condition, but the boots are torn and dry rotted. I will be looking for after market boots to keep ther dirt and water out.
Lyle

[lyletrudell]

Hi John, I made bushings for my 1970 Opel-GT R&P over 8 years ago, and the steering still has far less play than when the car was new, only about a 1/4". Of course all the joints are new.
I used a harder material and a very tight fit on all the bushings.
It does have a little more vibration/feedback through the wheel, but very precise steering and to me a great feel of the road.
I don't want to use rubber, it will let the shaft move and give a rubbery feel to the steering wheel.
I hate a loose wheel!
This car might not be fast, but it will handle!
Lyle

--- In
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
, JOHN BURKHIMER wrote:
> great lyle-please post when you get the sleves made
> thanks
> john b
> --- On Wed, 8/25/10, lyletrudell wrote:
> From: lyletrudell
> Subject: [anzhonda600owners] Re: Rack and pinion rebuild
> To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2010, 8:47 PM
> Hi John, both of my coupes had a lot of play in the steering also.
> Others members have done this, but I will add my thoughts.
> I am still at the shop, so I have 2 Rack & Pinion units apart in front of me. I see very little wear on the rack teeth or shaft and the bushings that support it look good. The pinion teeth and shaft diameters also show very little wear.
> The problem is the pinion bushings.
> They are just a simple steel sleeve with a rubber bushing molded around it.
> Whatever rubber material was used was not able to take the chemicals in the grease. So the rubber disolved and the steel part left just flops around. Real loose!!
> I will bet your pinion bushings are bad.
> An easy way to check it, fron inside the car look at the steering shaft universal joint closest to the fire wall. Turn the steering wheel left and right and look for a side movement. If you have play then the bushings are shot.
> Of course also check the universal joints for play, both of mine are tight.
> Also check tie rods and ball joints for play, again both of mine are tight.
> Bill has a nice write up in the "Files" section about a rebuild.
> This a dirty job, lots of old grease. Also the tie rod ends were a real pain to remove on one of the cars, the others came right off!
> The locking tabs were also hard to bend, a small chisel and punch worked but it's hard to reach. Like Bill say's don't damage the tab, don't think you could find another one.
> Also clean & check the rack boots for damage.
> I will be making some outer sleeves out of Delrin or polyurathane to replace the rubber that is gone.
> I will post how it works out.
> Lyle
> --- In
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
, JOHN BURKHIMER wrote:
> > quick question on the rack and pinion-
> > Â
> >     I have about 4 or 5 inches of free play in the steering wheel.  I'm sure there are a few reasons for this, but mostly what seems to be worn when others have this problem?
> > john
> > richboro, pa
> > --- On Wed, 8/25/10, billmyong@ wrote:
> > From: billmyong@
> > Subject: RE: [anzhonda600owners] Rack and pinion rebuild
> > To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2010, 3:29 AM
> > Â
> > Lyle;
> > Â
> >     As I said many times, the ball joints and tie rod ends are always in good shape, it's the pinion bushings.  Try some conduit around the original brass bushings after cleaning them up.  It will make for a very nice bushing.
> > Â
> > Bill
> > Â
> > Â
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
]On Behalf Of lyletrudell
> > Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 7:16 PM
> > To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [anzhonda600owners] Rack and pinion rebuild
> > Â
> > I pulled my steering rack and pinion apart today. Everything looked good except for the pinion shaft bushings. They look like they had rubber around them, but it has deteriated after 38 years of use. The rubber was totally gone and the pinion shaft was so loose I don't see how you could drive it!?
> > I was thinking of making some poly bushing sleeves to fit around the steel sleeves. I am sure someone has already fixed these before, any ideas?
> > Also my Ball joints and tie rod ends are in good condition, but the boots are torn and dry rotted. I will be looking for after market boots to keep ther dirt and water out.
> > Lyle

[lyletrudell]

I stayed late and made bushings for the pinion shaft.
They were kind of hard to make because of the thin wall, but once I figured out how to hold them it worked great.
I made them a slip fit in the cast housing and a press fit on the existing steel bushing, that way I could get them in/out easily.
Greased everything and assembled the unit.
All the free play is gone and it moves freely!
So, pinion bushings were the problem.
See pictures in the photo section "Steering rebuild".
Now all I need is tie rod boots.
Lyle

--- In
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
, "lyletrudell" wrote:
> Hi John, I made bushings for my 1970 Opel-GT R&P over 8 years ago, and the steering still has far less play than when the car was new, only about a 1/4". Of course all the joints are new.
> I used a harder material and a very tight fit on all the bushings.
> It does have a little more vibration/feedback through the wheel, but very precise steering and to me a great feel of the road.
> I don't want to use rubber, it will let the shaft move and give a rubbery feel to the steering wheel.
> I hate a loose wheel!
> This car might not be fast, but it will handle!
> Lyle
> --- In
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
, JOHN BURKHIMER wrote:
> > great lyle-please post when you get the sleves made
> > thanks
> > john b
> > --- On Wed, 8/25/10, lyletrudell wrote:
> > From: lyletrudell
> > Subject: [anzhonda600owners] Re: Rack and pinion rebuild
> > To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2010, 8:47 PM
> > Hi John, both of my coupes had a lot of play in the steering also.
> > Others members have done this, but I will add my thoughts.
> > I am still at the shop, so I have 2 Rack & Pinion units apart in front of me. I see very little wear on the rack teeth or shaft and the bushings that support it look good. The pinion teeth and shaft diameters also show very little wear.
> > The problem is the pinion bushings.
> > They are just a simple steel sleeve with a rubber bushing molded around it.
> > Whatever rubber material was used was not able to take the chemicals in the grease. So the rubber disolved and the steel part left just flops around. Real loose!!
> > I will bet your pinion bushings are bad.
> > An easy way to check it, fron inside the car look at the steering shaft universal joint closest to the fire wall. Turn the steering wheel left and right and look for a side movement. If you have play then the bushings are shot.
> > Of course also check the universal joints for play, both of mine are tight.
> > Also check tie rods and ball joints for play, again both of mine are tight.
> > Bill has a nice write up in the "Files" section about a rebuild.
> > This a dirty job, lots of old grease. Also the tie rod ends were a real pain to remove on one of the cars, the others came right off!
> > The locking tabs were also hard to bend, a small chisel and punch worked but it's hard to reach. Like Bill say's don't damage the tab, don't think you could find another one.
> > Also clean & check the rack boots for damage.
> > I will be making some outer sleeves out of Delrin or polyurathane to replace the rubber that is gone.
> > I will post how it works out.
> > Lyle
> > --- In
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
, JOHN BURKHIMER wrote:
> > > quick question on the rack and pinion-
> > > Â
> > >     I have about 4 or 5 inches of free play in the steering wheel.  I'm sure there are a few reasons for this, but mostly what seems to be worn when others have this problem?
> > > john
> > > richboro, pa
> > > --- On Wed, 8/25/10, billmyong@ wrote:
> > > From: billmyong@
> > > Subject: RE: [anzhonda600owners] Rack and pinion rebuild
> > > To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> > > Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2010, 3:29 AM
> > > Â
> > > Lyle;
> > > Â
> > >     As I said many times, the ball joints and tie rod ends are always in good shape, it's the pinion bushings.  Try some conduit around the original brass bushings after cleaning them up.  It will make for a very nice bushing.
> > > Â
> > > Bill
> > > Â
> > > Â
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
]On Behalf Of lyletrudell
> > > Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 7:16 PM
> > > To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> > > Subject: [anzhonda600owners] Rack and pinion rebuild
> > > Â
> > > I pulled my steering rack and pinion apart today. Everything looked good except for the pinion shaft bushings. They look like they had rubber around them, but it has deteriated after 38 years of use. The rubber was totally gone and the pinion shaft was so loose I don't see how you could drive it!?
> > > I was thinking of making some poly bushing sleeves to fit around the steel sleeves. I am sure someone has already fixed these before, any ideas?
> > > Also my Ball joints and tie rod ends are in good condition, but the boots are torn and dry rotted. I will be looking for after market boots to keep ther dirt and water out.
> > > Lyle

[friend]

I have passes to the car club corral for the Coronado Speed Festival, free to anyone wanting to attend.  You do have to purchase a ticket, but well worth the fun.
cody@...