126 aircooled steering rack

[michaelodonnell500]

Does anyone have a 126 steering rack from an aircooled 126, preferably with track rod ends if possible.
somwhere near staines would be good, but i dont mind travelling.
I understand the 126 BIS was slightly wider, but if anyone can confirm this is not the case then a BIS rack would be fine.
There is cash waiting!!

Thanks

Michael

[Bruce]

are you sure it is a rack you are after, some of the aircooleds had boxes? I know the early ones did and i believe the FSMs did, AFAIK the only 126s that had racks were the DeVille and the Bis, whether or not they are interchangable I would not know.

[bis13]

i am led to believe you can whip one out and replace easily with the other.

[michaelodonnell500]

I have a steering box assembly, but i want a rack.
The steerings a bit sloppy, a bit skittish, and the ball joints keep rubbing against the 126 brake backplates.
If I'm doing the work and spending the money, i'll go for an upgrade.
It's almost a straight fit, except for the the use of an adapter bracket as the 500 bulkhead is further back and needs something to bring it forward.

[126dave]

before you embark on this project spaeak to hudson henry...........its quite involved i think........i supplied the complete front inner panel for him to convert  500....................

[michaelodonnell500]

I see what you mean. Thats a little more ambitious than i was planning though!
I found an item some time ago on an Italian 500 parts site. (sold many fiberglass parts I think) Basically, an adapter that bolts onto the original steering box mount and allows the steering rack to bolt on it. 2 pieces one for the box one for the slave, to set the 126 rack in the correct place. Very easy bit to fabricate as long as I do my measurements

[hudsonhenry]

The brackets that you show are from fiat500sport.com, I have them fitted to my car (the 126 panel dave supplied was for a good friend and is a viable and free/cheap – thanks Dave – alternative to the 500sport ones).

Fitting is not as simple as you indicated. The brackets are designed to be welded onto the front panel not bolted. I can't remember exactly but Im not sure they even come close to the steeing box mountings. They need to be aligned correctly to minimise bump steer and you will need to use a 126 steering column which has a mount that is bolted on under the dash panel (needs a custom made spacer on the 500) The 500 column is a straight tube within a tube using the outer tube to support itself, the 126 uses an an articulated column with the shaft from the steering rack coming through in a completly different place to the 500 ( you need to drill a new hole). I made up a hybrid with the top half of a 500 column with the bottom of a 126 one and a custom made pivot/bracket – you really need to know what you are doing with this as the last thing you want to happen is the two parts coming breaking apart while you are driving! I had mine sleeved pinned and welded to make sure.

If you have a look at my web site www.retro500.com in the gallery section- Nigels 1108 - build gallery 14 rows down there are two pics that show the brackets in use.

You are welcome to come over and have a look at it, I'm near the M40/M25 just outside Uxbridge (Ickenham)

[michaelodonnell500]

Hi. Thanks for that. A bit more work than I'd imagined, but without the rack in front of me i couldnt compare the 2.
I still dont fancy using the front end of a 126 although i can see the benefits.
As the splined shaft (steering rack)is further inboard on the 126 than on the 500, i presume this meant putting a hole further inboard. As my 500 steering column has the pivot bracket top and bottom I should be able to swing this over sufficiently, although it may need extending.

I'm sure that my complete steering column (from steering wheel to floor) came from a 126 and that I used the 500 pivot/bracket section to shorten it, so If i used the 126 pivot/bracket section, I should be able to re-gain the extra length.
However, the brackets are a slightly different headache. Once I get the steering rack I would like to come and see your car. (I was at the Uxbridge show last year, but was more pre occupied with keeping the car running than upgrading!) If you've already had success, then it would be great to take some measurments, pics, and whatever tips you may have.

Thanks

Michael

[hudsonhenry]

On my friend Dereks car we used the 126 panel as a guide for position but cut the brackets out before welding them to the 500 panel, basicly the same as the bespoke brackets but less money. I think Jimmy from Ital Corsa does this on his 500's as well.

You are wecome to come over and have a look any time


Nigel