Centering Steering Rack & Front Alignment

Hey guys, I have the Gen 2 Hot Rod and I am at the final stages of finishing touches and alignments. Right now all I need to do is first center the steering rack and then do my alignment. How do you guys center your rack? I am confused since the rack itself is kinda offset and not centered in a sense. And second, I need to align the front wheels. What methods do you all use. Thanks in advance

scott

There are a couple different ways to center the rack (easiest if it was done before installing it, but still very doable in the car.).

1) Counting Turns method: Turn the rack from stop to stop, count the turns, turn back halfway. Now the rack is centered in the housing, so if you measure from tie rod to tie rod and go halfway on the housing you've got the center mounting point?

2) Using a tape measure method: On a bench (or in the car), turn the pinion out to lock one way. Measure from a convenient point to the end of the inner tie rod. Turn the pinion of the opposite lock position and measure from the same point to the end of the same tie rod. Subtract the two numbers, Divided by 2 and add that number to the smallest measurement and turn the pinion back till you get that measurement and your rack is centered.

Example--> If the rack was 17 3⁄4". Turn the pinion of the opposite lock position and measure from the same point to the end of the same tie rod say 11 3⁄4". Take 17 3⁄4" minus 11 3⁄4" = 6". Divided by 2 = 3",now add that number to the smallest measurement --> 11 3⁄4” + 3” = 14 3⁄4” and then turn the pinion back till you get that measurement and your rack is centered.

As far as alignment, it's pretty straight forward. I use both the QuickTrick alignment tool and Tenhulzen Automotive alignment tool (google both and research them). Both work very well for me since I have more cars than just the 33 so I need tools for a few applications. I also bought a good set of turn tables but you can use grease or kitty little between two metal sheets or vinyl floor tiles to achieve the same effect.

Jim

Jim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 33fromSD

There are a couple different ways to center the rack (easiest if it was done before installing it, but still very doable in the car.).

1) Counting Turns method: Turn the rack from stop to stop, count the turns, turn back halfway. Now the rack is centered in the housing, so if you measure from tie rod to tie rod and go halfway on the housing you've got the center mounting point?

2) Using a tape measure method: On a bench (or in the car), turn the pinion out to lock one way. Measure from a convenient point to the end of the inner tie rod. Turn the pinion of the opposite lock position and measure from the same point to the end of the same tie rod. Subtract the two numbers, Divided by 2 and add that number to the smallest measurement and turn the pinion back till you get that measurement and your rack is centered.

Example--> If the rack was 17 3⁄4". Turn the pinion of the opposite lock position and measure from the same point to the end of the same tie rod say 11 3⁄4". Take 17 3⁄4" minus 11 3⁄4" = 6". Divided by 2 = 3",now add that number to the smallest measurement --> 11 3⁄4” + 3” = 14 3⁄4” and then turn the pinion back till you get that measurement and your rack is centered.

As far as alignment, it's pretty straight forward. I use both the QuickTrick alignment tool and Tenhulzen Automotive alignment tool (google both and research them). Both work very well for me since I have more cars than just the 33 so I need tools for a few applications. I also bought a good set of turn tables but you can use grease or kitty little between two metal sheets or vinyl floor tiles to achieve the same effect.

Jim

Jim

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Thank you Jim. I will try your method of centering the steering rack. Also, I already have the exact QuickTrick alignment tool. It was a quick trick for me so its in the bag LOL. I will dust it off and try again. Mine is for 18-20" inch wheels. I will try to find a video of how to work it. Thanks again.

yeah , multiple ways to handle this. I always just did the centering by counting the turns. Something similar to this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wfc7zgJ7P8

I got a guy that is pretty smart about aligning the staggered setup

Attachment 171074Attachment 171075Attachment 171076Attachment 171077Attachment 171078

assuming you're doing your own alignments, just get it close enough, then do the final when you set the toe-in. A couple times I've tweaked the toe on one side and backed it out the other side when the steering wheel doesn't feel quite centered, but I'm experimenting with alignments all the time :D

Having a bump steer kit like the one I got from https://kootenaivalleycustoms.com/ will make adjustment easier

Thank you gentlemen. Really appreciate it