Who to Rebuild a Steering Rack?

Adams,

Though I have no direct knowledge, many owners have done this on their own.

Take a look at this on Mike's panteraplace website:

http://panteraplace.com/page203.htm

Larry

Larry,
I love Adams like a brother. But the man also owns a Ferrari.
As we all know Ferrari owners do NOT turn wrenches. Only keys!
Jeff

All smart a_ s comments aside. I would think that getting a vendor’s re- build installed and sending back the core would be the easiest. I think Dennis Quella might do this.

I think most of the vendors offer the exchange rack, I know Larry Stock carries them. They used to run around $300 if I recall correctly

If authenticity is valuable in your own mind then I'm sure they would rebuild your own rack for you too. Not that there is any way of telling whether a rack is original to a specific Pantera.

Julian

quote:

Originally posted by LF - TP 2511:
Adams,


Take a look at this on Mike's panteraplace website:

http://panteraplace.com/page203.htm

Larry

Thanks Larry. I looked at that, read it through, and the part, "...the cost of this tool can be justified if you plan on building several racks" was enough for me. The info is perfect for the shop doing the work, but not me!

And Jeff, you're right, I'm leaving this to the experts, which does NOT include me.

Joules, I think I'll go for an exchange of sorts. Not that concerned if the part can be seen nor 'matched' to my VIN.

Anyone have first hand experience with a rebuilder? Heard great things about Quella, haven't used them before.

I just had Quella rebuild my ZF. He is very knowledgably, has an amazing shop, and is very personable.

It was also worth the price of admission just to be able to look at all the Panteras from across the country that he is working on or rebuilding.

I would highly recommend him and am very satisfied with his work.

Thanks guys. Called Quella today, spoke with Rae I believe, left a message. We'll see. Looking forward to a couple winter projects!

Took the rack out this past weekend. Cleaned up all the bits under there. Lots of fun 'normally inaccessible' crannies!

Carefully sent the rack off to Quella. Doing some detailing while it's away. I really enjoy working on this car and can't WAIT to get 'er bolted back together again.

Thanks for the info, and especailly to Jeff who still accepts my panic calls!

My rack got to Quella on a Friday. I wait a week and call him on a Monday.

Gives me a full rundown on it, tells me the previous attempt was rather botched, says what all he plans to do to finish it up. Should have it back to me by the END OF THIS WEEK.

If it comes back by then, I'll be even more impressed than I am already. Can't wait to be driving it again.

Right now, looks kinda empty in there!

Keep up the posts, I have a little slop in my steering and am following this one closely to see how it works out for you.

Couple of quick questions...
Did they have an option where they'd ship you a rebuilt rack with a core charge first and you then return yours when the swap was done?
I think I'd like that option because I wouldn't have a couple of weeks between removal and installation to forget where all the bits go.
On the other hand, maybe I'd wimp out and sit there with the rebuilt rack waiting for the right weather or a break from work or or or..
What's your take?
I don't mind turning a wrench on some things, and the cat is great for it's simplicity in many respects, but steering is kinda critical, so remove/replace appeals to me more than trying to rebuild it myself, how much time and how many cuss words would you say the remove and replace job entails?

Great post. I was where you are, same questions almost exactly.

First, I'm no master tech. Of that, I can assure you.

When contacting Quella about the 'swap' idea, he mentioned that all rebuilds are not the same, so you may inherit a rebuilt rack that was fully redone at that level of time and cost, only to send him one that required half the work. Something to keep in mind. I ended up of course just sending him mine and waiting, which was not that long, and I had plenty to keep me busy.

Second, the removal fears are largely unfounded. Once high on jackstands with wheels off and a good light, you're looking at:

4 bolts that secure the rack
2 pinch bolts that secure the steering shaft
2 tie rod ends. You can remove these in a couple places.

PanteraPlace.com has - as usual - a fantastic write up and pictoral on the subject.

Then you just box the thing up and send it off.

Take pics along the way as you must. Mine should be back shortly and I forsee no reassembly head-scratching.

However, if my next post shows my wheels folded inward and my left turning resulting in a hard right, I won't be quite as cocky sounding.

One pointer - my BIGGEST hassle by far was not realizing the pinch bolts needed to be completely removed, not just loosened. Had I done this initially, would've saved 30 minutes at least. Whole job was 90 minutes. My cleaning up (which I am prone to do) took far longer, but I enjoy that part.

quote:

not realizing the pinch bolts needed to be completely removed, not just loosened.

Been there, done that...

For those not yet versed in what Adams is referring to, here are two photos which will show what is involved.

This is a pinch bolt clamp. It is designed to apply clamping force to a shaft that goes through the round hole. Note how the bolt enters into the inner diameter of the shaft hole.

quote:

Note how the bolt enters into the inner diameter of the shaft hole.

Continuing, note this shaft has a notch machined into it in the spline area.

The steering shafts (and the pinch clamps) on our Panteras are splined such as the one in this photo.

The shaft needs to be inserted into the pinch clamp so that the bolt of the pinch clamp indexes into this notch.

And that is why the bolt needs to come COMPLETELY out, not just be loosened, for the parts to be separated.

Larry

Hey Larry, why can't you be more clear?

Yeah, THAT'S what I was trying to say in my post about the pinch clamp. Good photos too by the way.

Quella says they sent the rack yesterday, UPS says I'll have it Friday. I say I'll be on my back in the garage on Saturday.

Hey Adams,

Don't forget to have the front end aligned (at least the toe-in set) after you get the rack installed.

John

quote:

Originally posted by jb1490:
Hey Adams,

Don't forget to have the front end aligned (at least the toe-in set) after you get the rack installed.

John

Thanks John. I really wish I didn't 'have' to, but I know I should, and will.

How/where do I get specs for that thing? My car has the spacers removed, and I have the 8's front, 10's rear. Any ideas?

quote:

How/where do I get specs for that thing?

Adams,

Typically, the toe-in for the front is 1/8". My local alignment shop had the Pantera specs in their computer. The computer specs were in degrees, 0.09* to 0.16*. Mine was set at 0.11* and it works great. I think that he told me that one degree was roughly 1/8".

My car is also lowered, but I still have the original 7" wheels. 8" won't be a problem.

John

Mighty cool. Thanks VERY much for the info. Can't wait to put it to use.

UPDATE: Got the rack back from Quella, looked all fresh. Put it back in this morning. And...

NO CLUNK!

Car steers better than ever, feels tighter all around. Steering wheel dead on, which is a first. Off to the alignment shop Monday! Thanks all.

If you don't mind my asking, how much did the rebuild cost - round-trip?

Thanks,
Steve

quote:

Originally posted by A Hudson:
Mighty cool. Thanks VERY much for the info. Can't wait to put it to use.

UPDATE: Got the rack back from Quella, looked all fresh. Put it back in this morning. And...

NO CLUNK!

Car steers better than ever, feels tighter all around. Steering wheel dead on, which is a first. Off to the alignment shop Monday! Thanks all.

quote:

Originally posted by Pantera 4134:
Larry,
I love Adams like a brother. But the man also owns a Ferrari.
As we all know Ferrari owners do NOT turn wrenches. Only keys!
Jeff

C'mon Jeff, hardly fair. I have three Ferrari's and turn my own spanners on all of them.

Here's how I spent my Easter!

Very keen to watch this thread also. My car is a little sloppy and I want to rip out the rack but unfortunately Quella isn't in my local neighbourhood!!

What was your rebuild cost?

quote:

Here's how I spent my Easter!

Very cool start.

After you remove all the other body panels, how long do you think it will take to finish installing the Pantera body kit so that car looks like something interesting?



Larry

Yeah, yeah, but just imagine how good a Pantera could perform with a 180 degree flat 12 hiding in the back.

And the noise....................it's to die for!!

More pics:

And another:

If only the damn gearbox wasn't under the engine, or if there was room in the Pantera to hang the ZF off the back of the 12.

I have a 456 Ferrari V12 engine under the bench for a project car one day, and I often dream of fitting it into the Pantera.