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Need help narrowing a power R&P for a narrow frame

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by grobb284, Mar 22, 2007.

  1. grobb284
    Joined: Jan 24, 2007
    Posts: 62

    grobb284
    Member
    from Ohio

    In contacting various rack and pinion rebuild manufacturers, there are supposedly no other front steer racks that are substantially shorter than the C4 Corvette. I need one 3" shorter to match our narrowed front suspension. Approximately 22.5" between inner tie rod pivots.
    Got a price from Maval for $699, they say they can do it. So am now looking at how it can be done, and can this be done by ouselves?
    I have taken the Corvette C4 rack and pinion apart in an effort to see how it may be shortened.
    The biggest obstacle at this point is moving the piston 3" on the rack shaft. It appears to be placed on by heat, and shrunk to the shaft. Do you know anyone that has done this, or attemted this?
    I don't want to score the shaft in moving it, and am considering making a new piston and cutting off the old.
    Any ideas. or people that I can contact that would know more about this.
     
  2. brandon
    Joined: Jul 19, 2002
    Posts: 6,374

    brandon
    Member

    was going to suggest maval ....but , have you looked into the circle track setups....sweet is one off the top of my head....but there are others....might be worth a look ....brandon:D
     
  3. 50dodge4x4
    Joined: Aug 7, 2004
    Posts: 3,534

    50dodge4x4
    Member

    I might sugest you look into an 88-93 Caliviar rack. They have the inner tie rod mounts at the center of the rack. Then you can make your tie rods to whatever length you need. The rack itself is around 32" long, but since the tie rods are attached at the center, it might work out well for you. They are rear steer and can be had with either power or nonpower. If you need a front steer rack, one from a 93-97 Dodge Intrepid is the same design as the Calivier rack except it is front steer. I have a picture of an Intrepid rack I'm adding to this post (if it works) Gene
     

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  4. ELpolacko
    Joined: Jun 10, 2001
    Posts: 4,682

    ELpolacko
    Member

    gonna be tough to do, the piston is spin welded or laser welded on. You will have to machine it of and create a new one. Oh, you will also cut down the rack travel when you do this. The Corvette rack wasn't known for tight turning radiuses to start with.

    I think I would consider using a race car type rack with proper inner ti rod ends to place them where you need. There are a ton of them out there like Appleon, Woodward, Howe and such.
     
  5. bobby_Socks
    Joined: Apr 12, 2006
    Posts: 938

    bobby_Socks
    Member
    from ǑǃƕǑ

    Where in Ohio are you located ? There is a shop in Dayton that has done this on some older racks.
     
  6. grobb284
    Joined: Jan 24, 2007
    Posts: 62

    grobb284
    Member
    from Ohio

    Located near Dayton, Ohio. This is a power rack, most have modified manual racks. Who did you have in mind?
     
  7. mustangsix
    Joined: Mar 7, 2005
    Posts: 1,531

    mustangsix
    Member

    When I was checking out possible Corvette suspension swaps a couple of months ago, one kit I found used a late model Mustang rack for the narrow track width version. Not sure exactly how much shorter it is than a vette rack, but it might be several inches.
     
  8. grobb284
    Joined: Jan 24, 2007
    Posts: 62

    grobb284
    Member
    from Ohio

    I'm thinking it is around (Ford) 24", the Corvette is 25.5", need 22.5"

    Does anyone have a chart on inner tie rod span for front steer racks, power. I utlized an old TRW book, it went only to 1989, and the new book no longer provides those dimensions.
     

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