Alford and Alder Steering Racks

[gerrym]

Useful article from Triumph Sports Owners Association Queenland.

http://www.tsoaq.org.au/technical-information/22.html

See especially comments about the rack end bushing. Does this "chime" with anyone here.

Regards
Gerry

[ardee_selby]

Yes, it chimes with me.

"Many racks are mistakenly thought to be worn-out when only the rack end nylon anti-rattle bush is missing or worn out"

That was a point of some erm...heated discussion with an MOT inspector. The "fault" was only really noticeable on full lock.

Was included in discussion here: elan-f14/worn-steering-rack-what-are-options-t17123.html?hilit=rack bush

Cheers - rd

[andyelan]

Hi There

Pleased to see someone correctly referring to the Lotus Elan steering rack as an Alford and Alder item rather than a Triumph Hereld/Spitfire one (which it isn't). I can't imagine rack used by Lotus ever went anywhere near the Triumph factory

Regards
Andy

[gerrym]

For these steering racks, does anyone know the thread designation for the inner ball joint locknut (from memory, the Across Flats dimension of these locknuts must be about 35mm). That's part number 21 if you follow he link to the fig 9 which is a drawing of the inner ball joint. Note that Triumph 2000/2500s had the thicker locknut to act as a rack limiter (Nothing to do with CC or Ron)

Thanks
Gerry


ps measured the locknuts. AF is 33.4mm by my metric Vernier which turns out to be 1-5/16" across flats. Thread (on rack ends) is 20TPI and measured 20.4mm. Thread table puts this as a 13/16 UNEF thread. Surprisingly, thread taps are in stock in the UK for this size and pretty reasonably priced. Might make up a rack limiter spacer integral with the locknut. Now where would one get some 1-5/16" bar stock??

[gerrym]

Answered my own thread on the steerin g rack thread size!!

Gerry

[gerrym]

A thin spanner is need to dismantle the inner track rod ball joint.

A 32mm bicycle headset spanner, opened up to 33.5mm, works perfectly.

steering rack spanner1.jpg (25.41 KiB) Viewed 1977 times

Note spanner is too hard to touch with a file. A grinder and whetstone is needed.

Regards
Gerry