1986 Corvette C4 Steering Rack
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
1986 Corvette C4 Steering Rack
Hi Everybody,
I recently bought a 1986 Corvette C4 with the 4+3 manual transmission. The car is in decent condition but needs some work done on it. I've always been interested in working on a car and can now finally get started (although I am new to this).
I'm looking to get a new steering rack for the car and was wondering if there is anyone who could point me to the right one (or to a few that would fit), and perhaps a good supplier?
Best regards to all,
Ved
I recently bought a 1986 Corvette C4 with the 4+3 manual transmission. The car is in decent condition but needs some work done on it. I've always been interested in working on a car and can now finally get started (although I am new to this).
I'm looking to get a new steering rack for the car and was wondering if there is anyone who could point me to the right one (or to a few that would fit), and perhaps a good supplier?
Best regards to all,
Ved
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 231
Likes: 32
From: Cumming Georgia
Rock auto...
[QUOTE=Ved;1593178606]Hi Everybody,
I recently bought a 1986 Corvette C4 with the 4+3 manual transmission. The car is in decent condition but needs some work done on it. I've always been interested in working on a car and can now finally get started (although I am new to this).
I'm looking to get a new steering rack for the car and was wondering if there is anyone who could point me to the right one (or to a few that would fit), and perhaps a good supplier?
Best regards to all,
Ved[/
Check Rock Auto.com. They should have the rack you need, as I've ordered a ton of parts from them.
I recently bought a 1986 Corvette C4 with the 4+3 manual transmission. The car is in decent condition but needs some work done on it. I've always been interested in working on a car and can now finally get started (although I am new to this).
I'm looking to get a new steering rack for the car and was wondering if there is anyone who could point me to the right one (or to a few that would fit), and perhaps a good supplier?
Best regards to all,
Ved[/
Check Rock Auto.com. They should have the rack you need, as I've ordered a ton of parts from them.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
You should also look for a Z51 steering rack. This will provide a little quicker steering and it will bolt right in. It will also be a good idea to replace both outer tie rod ends when you install the new rack. I have had good success with MOOG units.
When checking for new or reman units, make sure you know whether or not there will be a core charge! Some places will add a core charge and to get a refund, you will have to send the old rack back to the supplier.
When checking for new or reman units, make sure you know whether or not there will be a core charge! Some places will add a core charge and to get a refund, you will have to send the old rack back to the supplier.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 165
From: Utah
I had turnone rebuild mine, they did a fantastic job.
they can also edit the rack if you choose (change ratio ect).
in these early years the racks had some issues, i had mine sleeved with stainless due to internal damage common to these early years.
my steering is what i call perfect, however part of my choice was because it's a 2.0 ratio z51 rack and i like the fast ratio.
they can also edit the rack if you choose (change ratio ect).
in these early years the racks had some issues, i had mine sleeved with stainless due to internal damage common to these early years.
my steering is what i call perfect, however part of my choice was because it's a 2.0 ratio z51 rack and i like the fast ratio.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I had mine rebuilt by Mid America Motorworks. They subcontracted with Lone Star Caliper Company to do the rebuild. I paid $100 core fee. The reason I went this way was because they sent me the rack by UPS. I used their box to send mine back to them. After weeks and weeks they sent me back my core. The obvious problems were that they apparently didn't clean the rack and they painted the whole thing black. I have polyurethane bushings in my car and removed the stock bushings from the rack. There was a LOT of dirt around the main bushing (under the paint). After installing, the "new" rack immediately started leaking.
Given the above, I would go with Turn One if I had to do this again. The problem with that is that you have to send your rack to them, which means you need to come up with a way to box it up for shipping.
You can buy a rack rebuild kit from AutoZone:
http://www.autozone.com/suspension-s...178160cmpid=cj
After reading this article, I decided that the rebuild would be too difficult to get right:
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vem...inion-rebuild/
Given the above, I would go with Turn One if I had to do this again. The problem with that is that you have to send your rack to them, which means you need to come up with a way to box it up for shipping.
You can buy a rack rebuild kit from AutoZone:
http://www.autozone.com/suspension-s...178160cmpid=cj
After reading this article, I decided that the rebuild would be too difficult to get right:
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vem...inion-rebuild/
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
I had turnone rebuild mine, they did a fantastic job.
they can also edit the rack if you choose (change ratio ect).
in these early years the racks had some issues, i had mine sleeved with stainless due to internal damage common to these early years.
my steering is what i call perfect, however part of my choice was because it's a 2.0 ratio z51 rack and i like the fast ratio.
they can also edit the rack if you choose (change ratio ect).
in these early years the racks had some issues, i had mine sleeved with stainless due to internal damage common to these early years.
my steering is what i call perfect, however part of my choice was because it's a 2.0 ratio z51 rack and i like the fast ratio.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
I had mine rebuilt by Mid America Motorworks. They subcontracted with Lone Star Caliper Company to do the rebuild. I paid $100 core fee. The reason I went this way was because they sent me the rack by UPS. I used their box to send mine back to them. After weeks and weeks they sent me back my core. The obvious problems were that they apparently didn't clean the rack and they painted the whole thing black. I have polyurethane bushings in my car and removed the stock bushings from the rack. There was a LOT of dirt around the main bushing (under the paint). After installing, the "new" rack immediately started leaking.
Given the above, I would go with Turn One if I had to do this again. The problem with that is that you have to send your rack to them, which means you need to come up with a way to box it up for shipping.
You can buy a rack rebuild kit from AutoZone:
http://www.autozone.com/suspension-s...178160cmpid=cj
After reading this article, I decided that the rebuild would be too difficult to get right:
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vem...inion-rebuild/
Given the above, I would go with Turn One if I had to do this again. The problem with that is that you have to send your rack to them, which means you need to come up with a way to box it up for shipping.
You can buy a rack rebuild kit from AutoZone:
http://www.autozone.com/suspension-s...178160cmpid=cj
After reading this article, I decided that the rebuild would be too difficult to get right:
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vem...inion-rebuild/
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 165
From: Utah
One point to make super clear as well, if your steering has morning sickness where it's hard to turn until warm then your rack is like mine was and it has to be sleeved.
I contacted several sellers while i planned down time for the car, that place out of texas that midmotorworks uses never replied on my questions about their process...
Turnone was very detailed when i asked, turnone is pricey, but the peace of mind knowing it's done was worth it.
And the challenge was the box...
Turnone suggested a ups store, but they charge a small fortune to box something like that.
What i did was to build my own box out of pieces of other boxes and liberal amounts of packing tape, i even used zip ties in a few areas to make sure it got there in one piece...
I wanted to see their reaction from my creation, but it made it there!
And the box that turnone shipped it back in was pretty simple, a basic box with zip ties holding it to the bottom.
My creation had cardboard supports and a structure!
I contacted several sellers while i planned down time for the car, that place out of texas that midmotorworks uses never replied on my questions about their process...
Turnone was very detailed when i asked, turnone is pricey, but the peace of mind knowing it's done was worth it.
And the challenge was the box...
Turnone suggested a ups store, but they charge a small fortune to box something like that.
What i did was to build my own box out of pieces of other boxes and liberal amounts of packing tape, i even used zip ties in a few areas to make sure it got there in one piece...
I wanted to see their reaction from my creation, but it made it there!
And the box that turnone shipped it back in was pretty simple, a basic box with zip ties holding it to the bottom.
My creation had cardboard supports and a structure!
Last edited by Gibbles; Dec 7, 2016 at 03:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
I had mine rebuilt by Mid America Motorworks. They subcontracted with Lone Star Caliper Company to do the rebuild. I paid $100 core fee. The reason I went this way was because they sent me the rack by UPS. I used their box to send mine back to them. After weeks and weeks they sent me back my core. The obvious problems were that they apparently didn't clean the rack and they painted the whole thing black. I have polyurethane bushings in my car and removed the stock bushings from the rack. There was a LOT of dirt around the main bushing (under the paint). After installing, the "new" rack immediately started leaking.
Given the above, I would go with Turn One if I had to do this again. The problem with that is that you have to send your rack to them, which means you need to come up with a way to box it up for shipping.
You can buy a rack rebuild kit from AutoZone:
http://www.autozone.com/suspension-s...178160cmpid=cj
After reading this article, I decided that the rebuild would be too difficult to get right:
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vem...inion-rebuild/
Given the above, I would go with Turn One if I had to do this again. The problem with that is that you have to send your rack to them, which means you need to come up with a way to box it up for shipping.
You can buy a rack rebuild kit from AutoZone:
http://www.autozone.com/suspension-s...178160cmpid=cj
After reading this article, I decided that the rebuild would be too difficult to get right:
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vem...inion-rebuild/