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Escort rack track arms
scutter - 10/10/08 at 07:04 AM

Does anyone have a drawing of MK2 Escort trackrod arms? Especially the inner ends. I want to get some made up that would remove the need for extensions.

Also what grade of material do you all think they are made of, and would it be heat treated?

ATB Dan.

Mr Whippy - 10/10/08 at 07:24 AM

I have noticed that the method of construction varies between racks, depending on which company has made it, even for the same type of car. Hence why I have so many in bits

Your best bet and you'll need one at some point anyway is to buy a rack and strip it down, then take the arms to the workshop.

[Edited on 10/10/08 by Mr Whippy]

02GF74 - 10/10/08 at 08:21 AM

quote:
Originally posted by scutter
Also what grade of material do you all think they are made of, and would it be heat treated?



dunno exact grade but Ford OEM seem to be cheaper than cheap chocolate bar - the diameter of the metal is less than 14 mm and the thread is rolled onto the end. The rally design quick rack uses 14 mm rod and outer is case hardened.

Surrey Dave - 10/10/08 at 08:42 AM

If you shorten the rack doesn't it make it tight for getting the column round the engine , as it moves towards the car centerline?

Mr Whippy - 10/10/08 at 08:51 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Surrey Dave
If you shorten the rack doesn't it make it tight for getting the column round the engine , as it moves towards the car centerline?


yip but it is easy to use a plastic bush and another joint to make a bend in the steering shaft so it goes 'round' the engine. I even retro fitted this to my Falcon.

scutter - 10/10/08 at 10:05 AM

I have a spare rack, bu the arms are worn, might be worth a strip down.

Cheers Dan.

MikeRJ - 10/10/08 at 11:30 AM

quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74


dunno exact grade but Ford OEM seem to be cheaper than cheap chocolate bar - the diameter of the metal is less than 14 mm and the thread is rolled onto the end.


By far the best way of forming a thread.

Alan B - 10/10/08 at 12:10 PM

Aren't track rods forged with a ball on the inner end? Most I've seen are like that.



[Edited on 10/10/08 by Alan B]

[Edited on 10/10/08 by Alan B]

britishtrident - 10/10/08 at 08:31 PM

It is really not a DIY job ---- really don't even think about it the rods are made from a heat treated high/medium carbon steel. The manufacturing process is not as simple as it looks , even if you get the balls ends correctly machined the hardening and heat treating is complex get it wrong and it could snap like a twig.




.

britishtrident - 10/10/08 at 08:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Alan B
Aren't track rods forged with a ball on the inner end? Most I've seen are like that.



[Edited on 10/10/08 by Alan B]

[Edited on 10/10/08 by Alan B]



Sierra ones are like the ones in your picture they make it relatively simple to shorten the rack.

Escort and Cortina ones are a typical british Cam gears or Alford and Alder deign. The cup is part of the end of the rack and the ball of the ball joint is formed on the end of the tie rod. Below is a triumph one very similar to the Escort Rescued attachment 107a.gif
Rescued attachment 107a.gif

britishtrident - 10/10/08 at 08:47 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ

By far the best way of forming a thread.


Yes not only more fatigue resistant but also more corrosion resistant, if you every find yourself working on an old Rolls-Royce you will find very few seized bolts because every bolt has a rolled thread.

However on the Ford steering racks I have a feeling that the Mk1 Escort 1/2" UNF units had normal cut threads and the Mk2 Escorts had 14mm rolled threads so they could be made from the same 1/2" diameter blank.



f

scutter - 10/10/08 at 08:49 PM

Bugger