quote:
Any further shimming doesn't seem possible as the rack mounting bolts pass through a stiffener attached to the other side of the rack that looks to be factory welded in place.
Two questions. May I consider bumpsteer shimming a done deal? And, is the stiffener the "stropp brace" (or equivalent)?
The Stropp BRace is in fact the stiffener (or rack-brace). As far as a 'done-deal', it depends entirely on how much of the bump-steer you wish to remove from your car, and in what condition the car is in. All the spring shims should be removed from the coil-overs. And its pretty simple to arrange things so the Stropp brace fits as-stock while changing rack-shim sizes on any Pantera, pre-shimmed or not. Whats done is to hacksaw off a bit from both outside clamps where the rack bolts touch the clamps. The amount cut away should more-or-less match the changethickness of shims you're planning on using, and the cut areas filed or milled flat so the bolts aren't bent when torqued down. Then, stock length rack-bolts also fit.
Incidently, stock Stropp-braces were bolted in; perhaps yours is sunk into the undercoating added by most dealers? Having that piece firmly welded to the front lower frame extensions would make it VERY difficult to change a rack bushing since the rack should come out for this commonly-done operation.
