Lin's was even better, mine has dust on it already, pretty much the same as my house so it would fit in perfectly!!!

 

I have started mocking up the mounting brackets for the rack, cutting them from 1.2mm sheet for the mock up then will CAD up some drawings and get the bit Laser cut so I can weld them up.

I wanted to be able to remove them from the car if anyone ever wanted it to go back to stock, so I am using removable brackets, there don't appear to be any on the market for this type of rack, so it was either get another rack or make the brackets, I love a challenge so brackets it is !!

 

The rack I have has Servotronic on it, which is a electro/hydraulic valve which together with a controller alters the amount of power assist depending upon road speed.

Has anyone got this function working on a stock(ish) Mk2 ? Basically the voltage applied to the valve is dependent on speed, a speed pulse is turned into voltage, the lower the speed the higher the voltage (this is the job of the controller) The speed signal is fed to the controller which outputs to the valve.

I can think of some options to get this to work, but if someone has already done it, it will save me a bunch of thinking, and I'd rather be doing than thinking.

 

TillyJon,
Boogie Woogie, Its Electric!
I'm doing the same my MK2, making everything removable so the next person can return it to stock.
Super Sano! Keep those cards and letters comin'!

 

Finally got the brackets built and fitted, just need to source track rod ends and the Gaitors for the tie rods, I managed to order the wrong ones stupidly !

I may have to thread the tie rod further and/or cut back and re-thread, and then use longer tie rods, I forgot to measure the track rod end to track rod end dimension when on the car before I disassembled the front axle, can anyone give me or measure for me the center of the track rod end to the other center of track rod end, it should be in the region of 45", but I could do with a more accurate dimension than my educated guess/measure.

When I have finally completed the whole power steering thing I will put together an instructional pack with all the dimensions, parts required etc. I will end up with speed controlled variable(Via Servotronic) power steering for under £500, so I think it was worth the effort to get this system working.

I can use a speed to rack controller from a Jag, but I may build my own version with adjustment to the amount of variation, so that I can get less or more power assistance at low / high speed.

 

and you fabricated those brackets yourself?

 

Yes Jose, I mocked it up out of some 1.0mm sheet then finally made it all in 1/8" steel, I wanted it to be able to go back to stock if ever it were required.

 

Jon you are an artista !

 

Thank you Jose,

The track rod ends are giving me grief, some list M14 fine thread others show 5/8" UNF thread and mine are 9/16" UNF, I am just trying to get the correct ones, I will thread the tie rod at M14 if that's what I can get, but 9/16" would just be simpler !!!

 

I have a 1964 tie rods assembly from a S type, do you want me to get some info from it?

 

Thanks Jose,

The dimension I am after is center to center of the track rod ends with them attached, I know this will vary slightly with tracking (toe in/out).

I can get it pretty close, by setting the wheels parallel and taking the measurement, but this is not simple on my own, I need to hold straight edges on the hubs and check for parallel etc. so an actual measurement would be great if possible.

 

Got started on the rear axle, made a half shaft puller, not a Churchill tool, but worked a dream. I used some 3/8" plate and drilled some holes, 3 No 1/2" bolts and off it came.

Stripped, blasted, treated and sprayed some new paint, new parts are here, wheel bearings, oil seals, pinion seal etc. the rest is all in good order.

 

Jon, below is the linkage assembly that I have, I don't understand what is the measurement you need, or if the measurement is with it installed or as shown in the picture, off the car.

 

Very cool Jon. And very pretty!

 

Thanks Gene,

Jose I need the dimension on this picture track rod end to track rod end, as measured on the car i.e. total length of rack when installed

main pic on my post #111

 

Got to starting the rear calipers, there were some interesting adaptions to the handbrake, most of the adjusting mechanism was missing, and the retraction fork on one side was not correct, so new parts have been received from SNG, oddly they have sent one odd anchor pin !

The protection covers were also missing on one side, so I am fabricating some new ones as these are not available.

The Dunlop pistons are too far gone to be reused, so I will either get these lined or get new ones, I need to talk to refurb company before I make that choice, and will post more pics when calipers are completed.

 

I have to say that the handbrake mechanism has just frustrated the hell out of me. I would not like to service these on the car, I didn't have enough fingers, eyesight not good enough and tired, really not a great combo.

Took the second one apart about 6 times, it was the one that I had made new protection covers for and the return spring kept fouling in the lower cover, after comparing the 2 covers, I realized that the operating lever was not aligned correctly on the pad carrier assembly !

You will see on the photos that one was at a different angle relative to the pad carrier, I re-aligned it and it all lined up, I had assumed that I had made an error when I made the covers, so got led on a wild goose chase for an hour, managed to lose the friction washer in the process so I have ordered another so I can take it apart again to fit that !!! I had to order the hinge pins too as they were seized in the carrier and nothing was budging them so they had to be drilled out.

Anyway, finally happy with the outcome, at least they are now working, just need new pistons and all good to go.

 

Did you ever get the measurement you were after for the steering rack? I would be interested in knowing what you discovered. Thanks!
Lin

 

Not yet Lin, I am going to set it up with 2 lasers, I will let you know when I have done it this week. I have the rear axle nearly done so will do that next, I am waiting for the tie rod ends to arrive.

 

I measured 44.5 inches from center to center (either a bolt or grease fitting sticking down from each tie rod end).


That measurement was from a 1960 MK 2.