One of the altereds I am working on had a bump steer issue. I got most of that resolved but found another issue.
The right hand tie rod has a lot of play which can change toe in. Basically the design has approx half inch shaft that rides inside about 1.250 inch housing and that is where it gets the play. I would not have noticed it except it was hard to get good measurements and I jacked the front wheel up for some reason and found the play. When I found the loose play I removed the rubber boot and found problem. Felt tight when on the ground but that play was making it hard to get a good, consistent reading. Left hand tie rod has no play inside the steering box.

I have done a search and do not know who SGI is?

Maybe Stilleto? Also has number 1332 stamped on it.


Anyone else had issues with what seems to be excessive play? The rack and pinion itself is nice and tight it is only on right hand side where tie rod goes into the housing on the box.

I do not mind buying a new rack and pinion but if design is bad do not want to buy same thing. And if I buy a different brand then I may have to start from scratch and make new brackets and have to get all bump steer out of it. Trying to avoid buying another problem.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Only thing I could find on SGI is SGI Performance. It seems they are a Ebay seller, only thing in their store is a Pontiac Crankshaft.
Their web site will not open.

Sounds like you may have some fabricating to do..

Dave

I could not find anything either. I think I could make a nylon bushing that slides over shaft and into housing to reduce the play there. I hate to mess with factory design but that was not best design to start out with and there is room for improvement.

If it's only the bushing causing the play, then that's what I would do.

Dave

Sounds like a Pinto manual rack. look at Flaming river and see if it looks like theirs or Sweet manufacturing.

Check your glasses again to make sure it's not an SPE?

I had to go round and round trying to find replacement steering parts for that brogie I had, I got a whole history lesson from the guys at strange about late 80's early 90's parts manufactures, and the various company buy outs. Might be worth a call to them, they had replacements for my SPE stuff that was original 80s.

Here is a picture of the stamped name.

Here is the end that has slop in it. The other end is tight so I did not remove the boot on it.

Looks like a Pinto rack from here.. Shouldn't be hard to get parts for.

Dave

When I pulled the rubber boot back there was no bushing or anything in there and nothing in the boot itself. So I guess it never had any kind of bushing there and that slack can change toe in a little.

Curly, Back when I was building/repairing chassis I ran across a pinto rack that was to wide for the chassis and was causing severe bump steer. That's when I first discovered the chassis builders were selling a rack that was shorter than a stock pinto. Anyway I ran across this article on how to DIY and shorten one. Might be helpful because it talks about making the bushing in the end of the tube.

DIY Shorten Pinto Rack

Dave

DC: I have done two altogether this way.

Just thought of something. Looking at the second picture, it looks like they welded that mounting tab on. I wonder if the failed to remove the bushing prior to welding which could have allowed the bushing to move. I wonder if the bushing is inside the tube since it wasn't in the boot?

Dave

I'm wondering who would not fix the end of the tube? I guess probably the same person who didn't secure that bushing.

That Wilwood in picture has the same SGI stamped on it! So at least we may have found out who made it or sells it.

Okay, so Wilwood does not make or sell them any more but I think with the link that Dave posted I can try to get a bushing made that will work. Thank you.

Curly, I’m having the exact same issue with my roadster. It too is SGI. I pulled the boot back and a small piece of nylon bushing fell out. Clearly there is supposed to be a support bushing on the passenger end but it has broken into pieces. I think the ball unscrew from the rack rod.

Rip

I unscrewed the complete tie rod from the cross rod. I found many pieces of broken plastic in the boot. It was only about 3/8 wide, real lame design. I'm going to make a bushing from bronze and lightly press it in the tube.

RIP

I have the same Wilwood SGI Rack in my PST S10 but everything is tight

quote:

Originally posted by SC4400:
Curly, I’m having the exact same issue with my roadster. It too is SGI. I pulled the boot back and a small piece of nylon bushing fell out. Clearly there is supposed to be a support bushing on the passenger end but it has broken into pieces. I think the ball unscrew from the rack rod.

Rip

Someone should machine some new bushings. I would buy some if they were available.

I can make you one if you like, out of aluminum. Or get one made. OD 1.185, ID .840 .750 width.

light press fit into tube, perfect fit. Done.