Steering Rack replacement time

The last one I got was off ebay. One of the dirt cheap models advertised for a 308 Ferrari that was recommended by another member here. The rack went in my 74 without any mods and has been great. I will try and find out more info for you. I believe it has been about 4 years.

Agreed.  I have purchased and installed four of them.  I tried to rebuild them but after doing so they are nothing like you can buy new.  Alas, they are no longer cheap but they are still good.  Here is one on eBay with tie rod ends but check with Wilkinson.  He frequently has them as well.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115374038552

Thanks Steve,  I have emailed Wilkinson. I see the one on ebay.....new but not cheap.  Where is the best place to look for 308  (part number?) rack and pinions that fit?

Buy Auto Parts has them listed on sale on their website both Detomaso and Ferrari 308.  Once I get back to my garage I will see if there is a part number on my box, that I stuck the old rack in, although I am pretty sure it was this one.

https://www.buyautoparts.com/buynow/80-70007_an

Larry Stock's 'Pantera Parts Connection' in Carson City NV has them in stock with the slight mod necessary to make it fit your stock mounting flanges. Don't know what bushing the F-308 rack uses. If it's still stock plastic as the Pantera had, you'll be back in there in a few years to replace it. with bronze.

I checked at home. Yes mine came from Buyautoparts.com part # 80-70007 AN as I listed above. It was $110.91 back in March of 2016. I have had zero issues with it and to my knowledge it did not require any modification in my 74. My car was built Sept of 73. I am guessing I have put on about 8000 miles on it since then, but no racing or track time.

If yours is a real early car there might be some differences.

Thank you so much for your information, time and effort. Yes the current
cost for this item is $207. I checked with Wilkinson and he wanted $700!!!

Anyway my car is #4229, very late 72, with small bumpers, but my Pink slip
says 73. I think they started putting the rubber bumpers on about 30 cars
after mine.

I will need to find a shop to do the installation....I'm not capable of
making the exchange. Was there any other parts you had to buy to make it
work?

Tnanks again for all your input.

Dennis


On Mon, Aug 29, 2022 at 3:09 PM The De Tomaso Forums <alerts@crowdstack.com>
wrote:

@Dgacutan1 posted:

Anyway my car is #4229, very late 72, with small bumpers, but my Pink slip
says 73. I think they started putting the rubber bumpers on about 30 cars
after mine.

40 to be precise.

The first L was 4269.

For $700, Wilkinson is probably selling the late model replacement rack made by TRW Italia. I believe it was OEM in the GT5-S and perhaps even the Si. It looks quite a bit different than the original Pantera rack and has a quicker turning ratio. Wilkinson supplies them with the necessary adapter. If I'm not mistaken, this rack was also used in the Ferrari F40. 

Dennis, I had a shop do the replacement at the time, as I was also getting a ball joint replaced and wanted a full 4 wheel alignment completed. The shop was good with corresponding with me (and I am a pretty hands on and nosey owner, going in the back of the shop etc.)  to my knowledge nothing required a modification.

I should add that while getting the rack installed and a ball joint changed, with an alignment, I also had camber locks installed. The front end was in good shape then and everything was done at the same time.

The previous owner of my car had a normal repair auto shop replace the rack.  Nothing special about the job.   Any good local independent mechanical shop could do it.  

Thanks for the info. I have a shop that deals with all kinds of unique vehicles....hot rods, rat rods, daily cars.  They have a good reputation.