Beta steering rack differences

[ckeen74]

Hi all,

I need a new steering rack boot, and am seeing some listed as specifically for a TRW rack. What's the difference? How can I tell what kind my '78 sedan has, if it's even relevant?

On a side note, I took the car over to Jaan in Berkeley and he did a great job of getting the car running properly... apparently the timing was off by 10 degrees, a new rotor helped, but the main issue was where each clamp tightened down on the poly fuel lines, they were compressing the plastic line a bit and overall restricting the flow fairly significantly.

Anyway, steering rack info would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[dimonVX]

Does your rack has the hydro damper ? It is black tube in the center of the rack. It is Near exhaust manifold. In that case the rack is TRW, boot is here http://www.maloakron.it/catalogo/dettaglio.asp?COD_articolo=6409

[davidb]

Manual racks were: TRW, P.S.: ZF. Different booties [TMK].

[ckeen74]

Ahh, my car's got power steering, so that should be an additional hint... sounds like the PS was provided by ZF.

[dimonVX]

Hi
you need the kit of two http://www.maloakron.it/catalogo/dettaglio.asp?COD_articolo=64091
The ZF rack have a steel tube in rod area.

[ckeen74]

Thanks, Dmitry.

Sounds like your cars are as unusual in your country as my Beta is here.... how on earth did a Mercury Topaz and an '88 T-bird (convertible?) get to Russia?

[dimonVX]

Thanks, Dmitry.

Sounds like your cars are as unusual in your country as my Beta is here.... how on earth did a Mercury Topaz and an '88 T-bird (convertible?) get to Russia?
i prefer unusual cars. There are some us cars in russia. There is us cars owner's website , this is the page whith today's cars exebition in Moscow http://freedomcars.ru/iboard/index.php?showtopic=20569

My t-bird is cope, HO means convrsion to high output(from 158 to 225 Hp) engine.

[Ed P]

I have brand new original Lancia rack boots for the ZF power steering cars. Email me for more info.

Ed
pizza-store@hotmail.com

[ckeen74]

One other question about this - I've never replaced PS rack boots before, does this operation require any special parts or tools?

I gather from looking at the IAP site I might need boot clamps and the tool to install these, is that correct? How hard is the job - is removing the rack part of this operation? I would RTFM but it's not accessible until this weekend ;)

Already getting clickety noises at full lock when the car is totally cold, so I could already be on the path to a rack rebuild. However, with the limited amount I drive the car I'd rather put that off as much as possible.

[Jim Keller]

Yes, rack has to come off for boot change

Clickety noises at full steering lock is bad CV joints, sorry to say, you have more work to do than just the rack boot. You may get away with just lubing the CV joints, but if they are clkicking, they are most likely in desperate need of replacement

[ckeen74]

Hey Jim,

Bad CV joints was my first conclusion too... until I realized it happens when the car's not moving, and goes away after the first few minutes of running. Other than that, the car seems to behave normally. Well, as normally as a Lancia can. :D

Thanks!

[SubGothius]

I gather from looking at the IAP site I might need boot clamps and the tool to install these, is that correct? How hard is the job - is removing the rack part of this operation?

You can use plastic zipties in lieu of special band clamps, seems to be the shop standard these days (e.g., with CV boots as well).

I gather the PS rack boots can be replaced with the rack left in the car, but with the cramped working quarters and grime and such, not to mention the amount of wrestling that may be required to get the boots all the way on (tip: boil them first to get them nice and pliable), it may actually be easier, albeit perhaps more time-consuming, to just remove the rack for boot replacement.