Steering rack input shaft alignment question

[JohnK]

I'm trying to center my steering wheel and lock down all the steering shaft set screws before closing up the DS footbox. Here's what I've done so far:

- installed PS rack with Breeze offset rack bushings and centered the rack.
- performed a rough alignment with Fastrax alignment gauges. I think I've got ~1/16" toe.
- confirmed I have the same number of exposed threads on the tie rods on either end.
- go-karts confirm that the car tracks straight.
- centered the steering wheel and confirmed when go-karting that the wheel is centered when driving straight.
- confirmed that I have equal turns (1.5) in either direction from center to lock.

All good so far. The only problem is that the steering shaft adapter at the rack input shaft is approx. 90 degrees off from the flat. I don't see how to get the adapter set screw to sit on the flat of the input shaft without either having the steering wheel waaaaay off center, or really screwing with the alignment. Is this an acceptable situation? It seems to me that the large set screw with jam nut will sit in the rounded indentation on the input shaft, so does the flat on the input shaft matter? Do I need to do anything here beyond locking them all down (plus the pillow bearing set screws) with a little blue loctite?



https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=156304&d=1636853949

[michael everson]

It doesnt matter. for peace of mind tighten the set screw to mark the shaft then remove and drill a dimple where the set screw sits. Loctite and tighten.
mike

[edwardb]

X2 what Mike said. With it aligned as you described, grind or drill a pocket for the set screw and lock it down. Have done this on several builds.

[JohnK]

Resurrecting my own old thread, as I'm finally about to finalize steering shaft position and lock everything down before riveting on the DS outside footbox wall.

I'm not sure I understand the recommendation to grind a new flat or pocket on the steering rack input shaft for the set screw. Yes, the input shaft has a flat machined on it, but it also has a semicircular recess (not seen in the photo) around its entire circumference where the set screw is. From what I understand, the purpose of the set screw is simply to prevent the steering shaft from pulling off the input shaft. If the set screw is tightened down and is in that semicircular recess, I can't see how the shaft could slide out, even if there is no flat or pocket there.

So before I do something dumb and assume everything will be OK without grinding a new flat or pocket for the set screw, can someone explain to me why this is needed?

Many thanks.

[rich grsc]

You're correct, if the set screw is in the recess, nothing further needs to be done.

[cobrajj]

Yes, no problem--mine has been in the splined area for 13,000 miles and no loosening.