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How To - Tips => Steering / Suspension => Topic started by: 01Lambiero on May 22, 2013, 12:10:50 PM

Title: Power Steering rack & lines
Post by: 01Lambiero on May 22, 2013, 12:10:50 PM: I used a '99 Firebird/Camaro rack and steel 3/8" lines. My mistake was in using compression unions to join the tubing. The pressure in the power steering lines will blow the compression union apart. Make sure that your steel lines are double flared and use a coupling to mate the lines. Jim
Title: Re: Power Steering rack & lines
Post by: solrac on May 23, 2013, 02:48:34 AM: Did that rack require a lot of modifying to make it work?
I've been looking at a few thread on power steering racks for fiero..
But most are for 87 and down.. They don't talk about the 88's much.
Title: Re: Power Steering rack & lines
Post by: 01Lambiero on May 23, 2013, 08:30:20 AM: My chassis is a '87 Fiero but I don't think that there is much difference to the '88. I basically welded two mounts for the rack to the cross member and centered it. Then I welded the matching brackets on the top of the cross member. It ended up with a sharp angle to the oem steering shaft but works fine. The RH inner tierod had to be shortened also. (I don't know why as the rack is centered). I simply cut out a section, sleeved it, and welded it. Jim
Title: Re: Power Steering rack & lines
Post by: aeauto on May 23, 2013, 03:30:02 PM: The tie rods should be the same length. If they are not you need to do a bump steer check and make sure that you don't have a problem there.
Title: Re: Power Steering rack & lines
Post by: 01Lambiero on May 23, 2013, 08:08:34 PM: True, ideally. It's an item that I may recheck down the road when I get the other 2000 problems handled. I also had to modify the LH inner tie rod but all I had to do was shorten it and shorten the tie rod end so actually both sides were shortened keeping the rack centered. One of my biggest problems that I just can't seem to correct is the difficulty that I have just getting into my car. Anybody have an idea for a fix there? Jim
Title: Re: Power Steering rack & lines
Post by: solrac on May 23, 2013, 09:38:27 PM: Lose some weight. ::tongue lol
Title: Re: Power Steering rack & lines
Post by: autopro on May 24, 2013, 09:24:05 AM: Quote from: 01Lambiero on May 22, 2013, 12:10:50 PM
I used a '99 Firebird/Camaro rack and steel 3/8" lines. My mistake was in using compression unions to join the tubing. The pressure in the power steering lines will blow the compression union apart. Make sure that your steel lines are double flared and use a coupling to mate the lines. Jim

Jim, the NAERC plans call for a 93-97 Firebird/Camaro rack with a 2.2 Ratio. How do you know which racks have the 2.2 ratio?
Title: Re: Power Steering rack & lines
Post by: eddie on May 24, 2013, 11:31:04 AM: Z28 or Trans Am
Title: Re: Power Steering rack & lines
Post by: autopro on May 24, 2013, 12:07:51 PM: eddie thanks but when I look for parts that doesn't really tell me much. They all have some different options like this:
Camaro '93-97 Power Rack & Pinion; std susp FE2
Camaro '96-99 Power Rack & Pinion; sport susp F41, 3.8L engine, w/opt code Y87
Firebird '93-97 Power Rack & Pinion; std susp FE2
Firebird '96-99 Power Rack & Pinion; sport susp F41, 3.8L engine,, w/opt codeY87

2-3/4 TURNS LOCK TO LOCK AT STG. WHL, FIRM RIDE; w/FIRM RIDE & HANDLING SUSP(F41)

2-1/4 TURNS LOCK TO LOCK AT STG. WHL.; 2 DOORS; w/RIDE & HANDLING SUSP(FE2)

I just need to know which one is the one I have to buy with the correct option. I see one has 2-1/4 turns and the other has 2-3/4 turns ::scratch
Title: Re: Power Steering rack & lines
Post by: solrac on May 24, 2013, 01:27:44 PM: I am not sure if I am correct but I read on pennocks fiero forum that u gotta get the v8 ones.. Don't get one from a v6.
The rack and pinion from v8 are more expensive but I guess they are the ones u r looking for
Title: Re: Power Steering rack & lines
Post by: autopro on May 24, 2013, 05:25:32 PM: that's the thing solrac v6's and v8's also share the same part numbers. And there is different ones for the v8 also, not just one.
Title: Re: Power Steering rack & lines
Post by: eddie on May 24, 2013, 07:31:43 PM: http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/suspension-chassis-brakes-47/f41-steering-rack-answer-431036/ (http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/suspension-chassis-brakes-47/f41-steering-rack-answer-431036/)