Author Topic: Help needed with steering rack dimensions.  (Read 4241 times)

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michaelodonnell500

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Help needed with steering rack dimensions.
« on: May 15, 2018, 10:36:44 AM »
Morning all.
I'm fitting a 126 steering rack to my fiat 500. I've started making brackets, but I don't know what height they need to be fitted from the leaf spring mounting plate.

My floor plan is the same as an early 126 so the dimensions will be the same .

Could someone measure the distance I have crudely drawn on this sketch please?

Thanks

Michael.

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ChrisRLewis

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Re: Help needed with steering rack dimensions.
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2018, 06:26:59 PM »
I am not sure, perhaps someone else can assist?
I found some information on the design of the bracket set for the 500 rack and pinion conversion, which may help you.
https://www.fiat500vdlaan.nl/en/webshop.php?CategoryID=8

michaelodonnell500

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Re: Help needed with steering rack dimensions.
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2018, 07:16:25 PM »
Thanks Chris.
Brackets are underway. Should have them finished this week with a view to fit them at the weekend.


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thepuddlejumper

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Re: Help needed with steering rack dimensions.
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2018, 07:31:59 PM »
Michael, lifted the 126 and measured 23 on passenger side and 25 on drivers side.

Ralph

michaelodonnell500

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Re: Help needed with steering rack dimensions.
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2018, 11:07:51 AM »
Thanks Ralph, that's great! made a bit more progress last night, I'll add some more pics later
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michaelodonnell500

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Re: Help needed with steering rack dimensions.
« Reply #5 on: May 17, 2018, 11:14:38 AM »
Thanks Ralph, that's great! made a bit more progress last night, I'll add some more pics later
A photo is some of last night's welding

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thepuddlejumper

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Re: Help needed with steering rack dimensions.
« Reply #6 on: May 18, 2018, 09:21:54 PM »
Michael, you could fit the rack in the brackets and offer up putting the column spline drive through the access hole. It may mean the rack is positioned slightly off fron the 126 position. If I remember correctly I had to enlarge the access hole as the angle, going through the floor, for the 126 is different to the 500. I had to cut and shunt the 126 column to keep the 500 stalks and steering wheel.

Ralph

michaelodonnell500

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Re: Help needed with steering rack dimensions.
« Reply #7 on: May 18, 2018, 10:20:00 PM »
Cheers Ralph. I fitted a 126 upper and lower column a long time ago so the reat of the steering is already 126 based!

it should go together nicely once I've drilled a hole in the floor for the spline shaft. (Touch wood)

Brackets are ready to be offered up tomorrow.

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michaelodonnell500

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Re: Help needed with steering rack dimensions.
« Reply #8 on: May 21, 2018, 01:25:05 PM »
Brackets are now welded into place, steering rack is bolted into place, but the job is not complete!

1. I had to cut away part of the floor support section because the 500 one is Y shaped and the widest part gets in the way.  I need to make a new one which is more like the 126.

2. The splined shaft enters the floor but It looks a little short, I may have to modify the bulkhead. Didn't check it thoroughly as it was late on Saturday night when I discovered this.

3. Lower steering column is too short. This will have to be lengthened.

I'll take some photo's later.
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michaelodonnell500

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Re: Help needed with steering rack dimensions.
« Reply #9 on: May 23, 2018, 10:28:50 AM »
This is the cut to the floor support.
The bracket and rack almost fitted in while it was there, but it was impossible to get the lower clamps in place.

It was slightly obstructing the rack as well so it seems the best option is to remove and make a new one.

The new one will be as narrow as the front and the same width all the way back to the leaf spring area.

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michaelodonnell500

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Re: Help needed with steering rack dimensions.
« Reply #10 on: May 27, 2018, 01:07:46 AM »
This is the cut to the floor support.
The bracket and rack almost fitted in while it was there, but it was impossible to get the lower clamps in place.

It was slightly obstructing the rack as well so it seems the best option is to remove and make a new one.

The new one will be as narrow as the front and the same width all the way back to the leaf spring area.

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Ready for a test run tomorrow.

I need to do a bit more tidying and painting. Also the hole where the splined shaft comes through needs tidying.

I made a new floor support bracket to replace the original which clashed with the steering rack.

I also cut and lengthened the lower steering column to fit.



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michaelodonnell500

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Re: Help needed with steering rack dimensions.
« Reply #11 on: June 05, 2018, 11:47:46 PM »
The steering shaft was extended with a tube.  I cut it with a 6cm overlap and quartered each end.

The tube was clamped in place and each quartered slot was welded and the adjoining ring was welded so there are 4 welded spline and one welded ring each end.

I've been out for a few drives since then.

First drive showed a big improvement over the worn steering box.

There was some play in the steering shaft which I hadn't realised because the steering box was so bad! That has been corrected and the steering is significantly better.
« Last Edit: June 05, 2018, 11:51:04 PM by michaelodonnell500 »
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