Steering Rack

Hi Michael,

I'm in EXACTLY the same boat!! Small world.

I searched, but didn't find anybody that had found one that worked acceptably. Apparently a shorter one would help with bump steer. What has been tried seems to have had a different ratio. Hopefully someone with chime in here if I'm wrong about all this.

I ended up ordering a rebuilt rack from PPC, after exploring the feasibility of rebuilding it myself.

There must be a few that would fit i assume, its just a case of someone being lucky.or clever,enough to find one.

Look here: http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/...044/m/5021064156/p/3

Sounds as if it may have been a better alternative...?

quote:

Originally posted by Tomato Panscourer:
Hi all,
is there a replacement rack from another vehicle that will fit our cats?

I bought on Ebay a steering rack from a Ferrari 308. For the installation was necessary to change the end rods with the Pantera ones and small adjustment to allow the clamps to fit. I was lucky and only paid $220 for a new rack.

Ricardo

A rebuilt Pantera steering rack with a new bronze bushing, new seals and end boots is $300 (exchange) from most of the Pantera vendors.

Ferrari 308, #4308N, rack fits perfectly with a small amount of grinding around the left clamp mount. The dimensions, splines and threads for the rod ends are an exact match.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4308N-...&hash=item257e232ca0

quote:

Originally posted by Dave2811:
Ferrari 308, #4308N, rack fits perfectly with a small amount of grinding around the left clamp mount. The dimensions, splines and threads for the rod ends are an exact match.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4308N-...&hash=item257e232ca0

Thanks good info..!

Thanks for the options guys, three variations and the cheapest , for me anyway,
being a Ferrari rack lmfao

Cheers Michael

Does anyone know if Ferrari uses the plastic & rubber rack bushing that was stock on Pantera racks? 'Cause past experience says that those OEM Pantera bushings last maybe 7000 miles, then pound out, so the rack has to come back out for a bronze bushing (that lasts a lifetime). And while you're swapping racks, there were a pair of small shims offered by DeTomaso and others to correct bump-steer. They are about 0.312" thick and go between the rack mounts and the underside of the body. This lowers the rack slightly and mostly-corrects bump-steer. Slightly longer rack-mount bolts are needed and if the stock U.S. rack-brace between rack and right frame rail is there, the holes to mount it need re-drilling, but all this is a worthwhile mod if your Pantera didn't come stock with them.

This is from a search of older conversations. Apparently the 308 rack must use the same bushing.
From Edge regarding the original Pantera rack:

quote:

The rack is made by Cam Gears.
They had manufacturing facilities in Europe, UK & Australia supplying the automotive industry with components in the 1970’s.
They made racks for Ford, (Cortina, Escort etc) BMC, (Mini’s) & others.
I was recently talking to Johnny Woods about suitable RHD racks for the Pantera as I figured being in the UK he may have found a suitable RHD rack to do conversions.
He commented that it is in fact a rack that was also used in the 308 Ferrari & to avoid using it if possible as it’s badly designed & has a short life.

http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/...044/m/4151070546/p/1

Anyone know if the 308 rack shares the same turning ratio as Panteras?
From Comp2:

quote:

The Pantera Rack:
1 turn = 1.5"
3.25 turns total
4.874" total movement

quote:

Originally posted by MarsRed:
....
Anyone know if the 308 rack shares the same turning ratio as Panteras?

Same ratio. I have the 308 rack.

Just to confuse things a little more,
is the rhd rack the sane as the lhd??

A LHD Ferrari rack is what most of the Aussies use to convert Panteras to left-steer. How well it works I don't know but your choices are quite limited. Over there I'm told that conversions must be vetted by a Gov't certified automotive engineer before it will pass the MOT. The 308 rack does pass Aussie MOT. Just watch that stock bushing. Not hard to change and not expensive, but another factor to consider.

Thanks Boss, looking at the bush swap at the moment, she is still at the importers and not road legal yet, DAMN!

Maybe thinking about swapping the steering wheel to the right (correct? ) side in the future

There are currently two different ebay sellers that are offering the 308 racks at around $250 w shipping. I contacted both to ask who is the manufacturer.

The first http://www.ebay.com/itm/330919852533 is APX Autoparts. They replied:
Dear rbarkley671,
It is a apx private label.
Thank you
Customer Service
- apxautoparts

The second is http://www.ebay.com/itm/161030024352 Car Steering Experts. They replied:
Dear rbarkley671,
The manufacturer is Atlantic Automotive Enterprises.
Thank You
Customer Service
- carsteeringexperts

Here is the listing of the part on the AAE web site:
http://www.aaesteering.com/ste...l-steering-rack.html

They also offer remanufactured 4308 racks but have none in stock.

Rockauto also offers the 4308n AAE rack but at $400.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalo...k=3983754&cc=1297885

Anyway, AAE looks to be a well established outfit and, with modern materials and manufacturing these units could be of better quality than the originals. I also suspect that the apxautoparts part is also AAE.

Try this site, they have parts made by the original vendors. They have the Pantera rack for (not cheap) 360 Euro.
http://www.autoepoca.it/?s=de+tomaso

For your left to right swap, after you get the proper rack, there are RHD dashes that were made to fit the 'std' consoles. With moving the pedals, the Aussies literally cut the pedal box out of the firewall and use pieces of it to mount the pedals and steering on the opposite side. If you REALLY want to do this, contact either Roger Brottan in South Yorks (01226 719443), or Johnny Woods (on this Forum. Lost his contact info in England). They both do exceptional restorations of DeTomasos and likely can help- or do the whole job. Roger has lots of parts on hand and is Tech Advisor of the British DeTomaso Drivers Club (detomasodriversclubuk@yahoo.co.uk) Good luck with your cat.

Thanks for all the info' chaps, its great to know there are parts available and a functioning and friendly forum

Just FYI: I ordered a rebuilt rack from Larry at PPC. Be advised that he charges a $500 core charge, plus the cost of the rebuilt rack.

I learned how expensive this core charge is from my credit card co., and it came as a shock.

A rack isn't something I would want to "make" or rig to work. I bought a rebuilt from mike, and it was beautiful. Don't try and save money here.

NEW OLD STOCK FOR SALE FOR A 72 on ebay,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DETOMA...em2591bf1f58&vxp=mtr

Nice, but the problem is it has the nylon bushing. Rebuilt's have brass.