wrong rack

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Aug 7, 2005 | 12:59 PM

lawcorvette

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 322

Likes: 3

From: LONG ISLAND NY

wrong rack

I purchased a z51 rack from gregs corvettes and customs through ebay.

He has them listed at $149.

The big problem is I fly to NY from pittsburgh to put this in and it looks like it's the wrong rack.

my 1986 originally had the base rack

I received the z51 rack and it appears to be an inch and a half shorter in length.

I am assuming this is a later model rack.

Let me know if I am right.

Oct 29, 2005 | 04:46 AM

86PACER

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 5,858

Likes: 7

From: Santa Maria CA

From my understanding the only difference should be the internal gear ratio. Correct me if I'm wrong anyone.

Oct 29, 2005 | 08:10 PM

rodj

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 8,838

Likes: 31

From: Australia

A quick check of the online Vette wreckers shows only std /Z51 racks listed; no difference made between years.

Can you be sure it is a Vette one?

NB.My RHD conversion has a Buick front mount rack inverted and mounted in the stock Vette position AND it looks identical to the LHD rack I have.

Oct 29, 2005 | 11:49 PM

Togo

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 14,604

Likes: 3

From: Glendale, AZ

the rack i got for my 85 was a Z51 - car didn't have Z51 - rack fit no problem!
i am pretty sure they are identical (been a long time since i did that job) with the only difference being the "lock to lock turns"

Oct 30, 2005 | 07:25 AM

larryfs

Safety Car

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 4,010

Likes: 26

From: Somewhere nowhere

your on Long Island... go down to the vetter dr's. They are very helpful, and will BS with you.

Oct 30, 2005 | 07:53 AM

Greg Gore

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 5,841

Likes: 19

From: CLT, North Carolina

Z-51 vs Standard Steering Rack

The Z-51 rack has a faster ratio than standard and is considered an upgrade. "101 projects for your Corvette" has a section devoted to installing a Z-51 rack to give your car quicker steering.

Regards, Greg

Oct 30, 2005 | 11:41 PM

Aggravated4life

Race Director

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 14,130

Likes: 7

Cruise-In II Veteran

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawcorvette

Did the rack come with inner tie rods?if so it may need to be adjusted.
When you say its shorter do you mean it wont allow the outer tie rods to mount to the spindle?If so then you have to turn the inner tie rod out to allow it to align properly.Thats all I can think of that could be wrong.

Oct 30, 2005 | 11:44 PM

Aggravated4life

Race Director

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 14,130

Likes: 7

Cruise-In II Veteran

BTW, there should be a date stamped on the rack somewhere.I forget where exactly but when my 86 rack went bad,I replaced it with a rebuilt unit.The new unit had the year 84 stamped on it.Mine had the 86 on it as well.84-87 racks were interchangable so I had no problems with it.Check to see if theres a year stamped in the metal somewhere.Prob close to the middle where the rack bolts to the steering linkage.