During the strip down of my rack i noticed this little problem...


front cage

Does it need to be straightened out? Or will it be ok?

If it needs to be straightened i can do so accurately (and can probably get it crack tested, as the ball is hardened).

I spent all day trawling through scrappies to no avail.

Anyone know if you can get new track rods for the Mk2 escort, i looked but couldnt find any. If you cant, has anyone got a pair kncking about?

Alternatively, are there any other track rods that will fit the mk2 rack that are easily obtainable?

Cheers,
David

I wouldn't use it or repair it.

Steering is too important to take a risk

Funny that, I just asked for some at my local factors, he can't get any and he is brilliant at finding stuff for old / classic cars!!

I've decided to sell my brand new Mk2 quick rack and get a Sierra one and modify that.

I got a recon rack for £15+vat. Put it back together and let someone else fix it.

New racks are cheap enough. Exchange it.. its not worth the risk..

Yep, get a recon rack. You can get trackrods, as the rack recon people do!

However, it's not worth the hassle and certainly don't try and straighten it, it is bent in a high load, small cross section area, not worth the risk.

I would get a recon rack, other than my rack is almost already reconned...its been painted etc, and i only noticed the bent TR when i completely dismantled it.

Anyone know if any of the other ford racks have the same/similar TR on them?

I measured the ball and IIRC its 13.75mm, do any other racks have this sized ball (sierra, mk3 escort etc)? If so then i will use different TR's.

Cheers,
David

Apologies to (slightly) hijack the thread, but I have a similar issue finding replacement parts for my Escort steering rack - the track arm ballhousing and lock nut are knackered where the previous owner has obviously drilled & redrilled the retaining pin, so I need to replace them.
Ford can't supply them (unsurprisingly), none of my local motor factors seem to be able to source them either and none of the local scrappies have any escort parts at all...

Anyone know where I can find some?

Cheers,
Rob.

I found the website of a rack reconditioners....unfortunately they are based in australia.

They make their own new track rods and housings for the escort rack...toward the bottom of this page.

http://unite.com.au/~u2027a/

I have no idea what prices would be like though, and havent enquired yet.

I may give in an get a recon rack if i can find somewhere that does cheap ones!

David

I found a company caled Sidem (www.sidem.be), based in Belgium, who make replacement Ford parts. But, they are only a manufacturer.

Their UK distributor is Unipart Automotive, who are part of the same group of companies as Partco Autoparts. However my local Partco branch says they can only supply a whole rack.

I'm going round in circles....