Can't believe I'm having to ask this (so apologies in advance).

Is there any reason I'm not easily finding replacement steering arms or tie rods or drumsticks (whatever the correct terminology for them is) for an Escort (Mk2 I think?) steering rack?

When I rebuilt the Sierra rack on the Robin Hood - there were hundreds of pages for steering arm/tie rod on Ebay - only finding 'ends' for Escort Mk2 or Mk II?

A previous owner welded a collar on to add an extension. The gaiters are split on both sides so I can't get a new one over the welded collar. So decided to do what I'm doing with all of this car and just replace everything. I would just buy a new rack and have done with it but the rack has been shortened to reduce bump steer so would like to keep it.



Also this looks different to the Sierra I did before too. Is it a locking collar? Does this look right?? :-



Cheers
Tony

https://www.rallydesign.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=900_1332&products_id=16872
Should fit, is intended for their escort racks, i assume they are based on the OE design.

Cheers - I did spot that but assumed it was only designed to fit their own rack?

It's just really weird how there aren't pages and pages full on Ebay like there are for every other car on the planet?

Just worried I'm missing something here? Do other escort rack owners mainly just throw the whole rack away and buy a new one when a tie rod gets some wear/play?

The rally design racks use a modern design rack end which has an integrated ball joint, the original escort rack uses one where the ball joint is assembled on to threads at the end of the rack.

There are rebuild kits available for the escort rack ends, usually they only include the bronze insert and spring that fits inside the socket and the drumstick part is reused.
Going by your pictures, i don't think the socket will be replaceable as it doesn't look to be big enough to fit over the welded section, but the bronze insert should still be replaceable.

The locking collar is as you've described, it locks the socket in place once the balljoint preload has been adjusted - if this is loosened the socket can be removed from the rack, however it probably won't help for changing the boots as the od looks larger than the welded part.

Have a look here for available parts.

https://www.motorsport-tools.com/ford-escort-parts-mk1-mk2/steering/rack-parts.html

It may be worth using some stretchy gaiters such as bailcast or mechatech, they don't last as well as the proper ones, but should stretch enough to fit over your welded part - i have managed to get a gaiter over a siezed track rod end with a degree of effort.

Dave

The tie tod arms on the quick rack I bought from Rally Design were different to OEM due to being larger diameter with cut threads in hardened steel vs rolled threads - but obviously same M14 thread - so be careful as they may be different internally.

quote:

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Originally posted by Edwardo
Can't believe I'm having to ask this (so apologies in advance).

Is there any reason I'm not easily finding replacement steering arms or tie rods or drumsticks (whatever the correct terminology for them is) for an Escort (Mk2 I think?) steering rack?

When I rebuilt the Sierra rack on the Robin Hood - there were hundreds of pages for steering arm/tie rod on Ebay - only finding 'ends' for Escort Mk2 or Mk II?

A previous owner welded a collar on to add an extension. The gaiters are split on both sides so I can't get a new one over the welded collar. So decided to do what I'm doing with all of this car and just replace everything. I would just buy a new rack and have done with it but the rack has been shortened to reduce bump steer so would like to keep it.



Also this looks different to the Sierra I did before too. Is it a locking collar? Does this look right?? :-



Cheers
Tony

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arms

If you can get a pair of replacement track rods it would be a good idea to buy or make some screw on extensions rather than weld on extensions

My first thought would be stretchy gaiters, that will go over the extension collar, but I would also look at the position on full-lock - is there enough sticking out that you could saw it off, right against the collar, re-thread the end and make a new, longer, screw-on extension?

Awesome!- Many thanks for the replies all. That's exactly what I was after knowing in brilliant detail

This is why I love this site, people are so knowledgeable and always have the answers you need. Was very worried last week when the site went down for as long as it did!

I ordered a set of new gaiters last night (only cheap Ebay ones though - 'First line' is the brand?).

So I think Plan A will be to try those and see if I can get them over the welded lumps - not expecting great results tbh

Plan B - Order a set of those extra stretchy ones that Dave mentioned

Plan C - Talk to Mash about getting hold of those new arms and doing it all properly Just not keen on the idea of having to drill anything out/tension up accurately/re-lock etc as it sounds like a proper faff!

Thanks again all - will update with how I get on.

Cheers
Tony

One other place to try is 907 on this forum http://www.paulgooderham.co.uk/ . He makes many things including rack extensions

Just a quick update - used a bit of vaseline on the welded collars and with a very slow careful pull the new gaiters went over. It was touch and go as the gaiter looked right at it's limit and could have split at any second. Must be what women experience during childbirth!

So that's great news - can get the paint touched up and the new TRE's fitted before putting it back in.

Bought a set of alloy rack clamps. The wider one needs a little fettling to fit by the looks of it. Also the packers need trimming down a bit. Not sure I've made the right choice here? :-