Broken flange mounts on steering rack, common?
10-25-2012, 07:54 AM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
Broken flange mounts on steering rack, common?
Two weeks ago in a downpour at NJMSP, my car didn't seem to respond normally to steering inputs. I almost spun and took the car in. After attempting to drive a few more laps over the entire day, (first thought was tires) I just called it quits. I got the car up on jack stands are after looking for hub, tie rod, or related problems, I noticed that the rack moved up 2-3 inches off of the cradle up and down vertically. There are two "flanges" that are bolted to the rack, and both flanges had broken and the bolts were still in place. My question is, is this a common problem with roadracing? I have a stock suspension on an 02 Z06 with 04 Z06 shocks.
10-25-2012, 08:10 AM
#2
Safety Car
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Yours is the first time I have ever heard of the flanges breaking off the rack. It would take a large hit to snap both of them. Did you have an off track excursion or hit anything that you can remember ??
10-25-2012, 11:40 AM
#3
Le Mans Master
I know of this happening to a couple of T1 racers.
10-25-2012, 02:17 PM
#5
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Never heard of them breaking but know the bolts can come loose and fall out. Happened to my 97 after the rack was replaced under warranty. Really weird feeling when you turn the steering wheel and the car lazily responds to the steering input or just keeps going straight. The 97 didn't like turning left but would turn right with no issues.
Bill
Bill
10-25-2012, 02:23 PM
#6
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George, after the cradle is swapped, I have an steel support I can also install for extra strength and make this never happens again. I pulled my cradle out to take a look at it and your all set.
10-25-2012, 03:56 PM
#7
Race Director
Thread Starter
Thanks for your input, I routinely use rumble strips.
Never heard of them breaking but know the bolts can come loose and fall out. Happened to my 97 after the rack was replaced under warranty. Really weird feeling when you turn the steering wheel and the car lazily responds to the steering input or just keeps going straight. The 97 didn't like turning left but would turn right with no issues.
Bill
Bill
