Wedge steering gear rack on a tr7 and tr8

[sabot]

Hi all,
Found a TR7 with a build date of Aug79, and a vin of
tcw113609ucf in a yard.
Will the steering gear rack work in my 8, and how much of it
should I grab?
thanks tom

 

[Dale]

Not sure about the rack, as the 8 had power steering the 7 did not. Most of the other bits are the same except for the engine of course, and some diffrences in the front brakes.

 

[tr8todd]

It will bolt right in. The TR8 does have a power rack, but many have been replaced with TR7 manual racks over the years. Make sure you also take the lower steering shaft- the piece between the steering knuckles. It is longer on a TR7 than on an 8 because the TR8 power rack has a control box mounted on top of the rack. Also grab the u joints, whatever bolts you take off, and end links that attach to the struts. They are the same but could come in handy. A TR7 rack shouldn't cost more than $50. Vicky Brit was selling brand new ones for $150 not too long ago and may still. On a side note, TR7 racks came in two different ratios. The earlier ones were something like 3.9 turns lock to lock and the later ones were around 4.7. I would have to drag some out to check the exactness of that statement. One from a 79 coupe(kinda rare model as that was when they were switching over to convertible production) would be the easier to turn 4.7 model. I personally prefer the manual racks on my TR8s. Gives a better feel for the road, and saves weight. You can send your power assist rack out to be rebuilt at Atlantic Power Steering in one of the Carolinas.

 

[sabot]

Thats what I was thinking, put the manual rack in and have the 8 rack rebuilt.
Any chance of a picture of what I should have them pull?
thanks Tom

 

[DNK]

Tom, they have to drop the sub and then it just unbolts.
Here is a PS rack

Here is a manual rack
(thought I had a pic of mine before I put it in, but I guess not. Maybe Todd does)

I have a 7rack on mine,but still not sure about the longevity on it,meaning, I might go back to the power unit.On the road it's not too bad, in parking lots and slow speed it's a duzzy.