Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums  

Need new steering rack...........argh!

September 29, 2011, 06:41:42 AM

Found the source of the annoying PS fluid leak. The boss cast into the rack where the PS pressure line threads into is cracked! The crack is about 3/4" long.  What to do, what to do!  I'm not drinving the bird so I don't need it right away but I'm tired of it dripping on the garage floor.

So....what brand rack are you guys buying as replacements?  I may JB weld it for now to keep it from dripping until I get a new one.

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Need new steering rack...........argh!

Reply #1 – September 29, 2011, 08:13:03 AM

I just bought a lifetime rack from Oreillys.  I needed a new pump also, so I bought the Sport rack with 15:1 ratio and corresponding pump.

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Need new steering rack...........argh!

Reply #2 – October 01, 2011, 11:12:07 AM

A1 Cardone is pretty much the dominant brand you will find at most car part stores.  I really prefer the TRW racks if you can find them but they are all pretty much the same.  I am pretty sure the only thing they offer anymore is a long rack which has the rack plus the inner tie-rods where a short rack is just the rack and you reuse your old inner tie-rods.  I would stay away from a short rack if you inners have some miles on them and you should not expect to pay more than $100 after you bring them your core.

Also, if you want some positive feedback on a stock K-member car you need to use aluminum rack bushings with the correct washers between the rack and the K-Member. Read this:

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/st...oducts_id=1088

Its a pretty cheap investment and it made a huge difference on my Coupe when I had a stock K-Member in it.

We had a pretty good discussion on this topic here:

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?30351-Steering-Racks-and-Power-Steering-Pumps

Darren

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