PAS rack question

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Forkie
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PAS rack question

#1 Post by Forkie » Thu Oct 10, 2024 4:49 pm

Hi all. After a bit of searching, checking availability of parts
(or the lack of) for repair/ rebuild as may be required, and reading the 'ol workshop manual , do i detect correctly that any fault with our PAS rack leaves only one option - to purchase a whole reconditioned unit - and depending which supplier- just the rack, or rack plus the column as one unit. In other words, no other option. I assume it is quite an indepth job, hence the lack of available parts, other than shims / seal kits etc.
Member Number 7392 04/07

1975 TRIUMPH 2500S AUTO ESTATE IN BRG!

DON'T TIDY UP - LEAVE IT WHERE IT FELL!!

johnnydog
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Re: PAS rack question

#2 Post by johnnydog » Sun Oct 13, 2024 6:40 am

Although this one is obviously local to me, a company repairing your own rack rather than an exchange rack repaired 'cheaply' from one of the big Triumph suppliers would be my preferred option.
https://www.prestonpowersteering.co.uk/ ... U96BAghEA0
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1967 Mk1 2000 in Gunmetal Grey
1969 Mk1 2000 in Royal Blue
1970 Mk2 2000 in Valencia Blue
1972 Mk2 2.5 PI in Triumph White
1973 Mk2 2.5 PI in Sienna Brown
1976 Mk2 2500S in Carmine Red

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Re: PAS rack question

#3 Post by johnfrancis898 » Sun Oct 27, 2024 9:28 pm

Hi Forkie
I fitted a new PAS rack to my 2500TC last year. The old one was the original (1976) and leaking badly. I considered having a go at refurbing it myself but when I looked into what was required it worked out cheaper and easier to exchange it for an already refurbished one. I ended up getting it from Chris Witor as I find him one of the most knowledgable and reliable suppliers available.
With regard to fitting it was quite straight forward. I was undergoing a complete front suspension overhaul at the time so as well fitting new shock absorber struts, I also done the hubs fitting new bearings, seals, ball joints and also renewed all rubber bushes with poly ones. I also refurbed the PAS pump. I found it easier to connect the hydraulic hoses to the rack and leave them slightly loose before fitting them to the pump as its easier to line them all up before tightening. Also line up and connect up the steering shaft and also leave loose before connecting the rack to the cross member.
I would also advise getting the front wheels as parallel as possible before fitting the track rod ends to the rack. After completion I popped along to my local tyre dealer and got him to do a complete check and adjustment on the front suspension geometry and it wasn’t far out. With regard to bleeding the hydraulic circuit, I followed the instructions in the manual and once the air was out of the system it was fine. It has transformed the car and the roadholding and performance is much better.
Hope this helps.
John.
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2500TC Mk 2 saloon 1976 od/PAS BRG

Forkie
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Re: PAS rack question

#4 Post by Forkie » Tue Oct 29, 2024 10:33 am

Hi John,
Thanks for the info on your swap. I have also undergone the same complete front end overhaul of all braking, suspension and bush overhaul, the only item that did not appear to warrant renewal was the rack - until i dropped it off a few months ago to my local guy for an odd brake issue and he informed me of ' slight play' on the OS. I have yet to investigate myself. I believe he had in his mind probably wear to the inner tie rod, an easy change - until i started looking into it a bit more. Very little would seem available other than shims and seals, although oddly enough Rimmers sell the cups for the Stag rack , but not listed for the 2000 range, even though the manual lists said cups in our racks....as the rack appears ok in other respects - no leaks etc and has covered less than 50k, changing the whole lot seems a tad extreme . I would as par for the course purchase what is required from CW.
Member Number 7392 04/07

1975 TRIUMPH 2500S AUTO ESTATE IN BRG!

DON'T TIDY UP - LEAVE IT WHERE IT FELL!!

Roscoe
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Re: PAS rack question

#5 Post by Roscoe » Tue Nov 05, 2024 7:19 pm

If you can afford it might be an idea to convert to electric power steering I’m having my Pi done end of April
£1500 by easy steer in Chorley Lancashire. I’ve spent thousands on it so far so another £1500 won’t make much difference new cv driveshafts, reconditioned manual steering rack all new suspension bushes throughout, new rear shocks.new springs front and rear. New front struts, and various other bits and pieces.
Approximately £14,000 in total so must be one of the best PI’S in Gloucestershire can’t sell it now!

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Re: PAS rack question

#6 Post by Forkie » Tue Nov 05, 2024 7:45 pm

Mmmm i get what you are saying, but to me converting to electric streering would be the same as my modern Passat- no feel, not the same, not as Triumph intended in 1975. Whilst i take onboard your opinion, i would rather, for now anyways try to resume 1975 steering standards, only for my own reasoning - to try and keep the car as per factory, as much as possible anyway! I am the same as yourself - spent 3 x what the car is worth, but hey ho, what do you do!!!!!
Member Number 7392 04/07

1975 TRIUMPH 2500S AUTO ESTATE IN BRG!

DON'T TIDY UP - LEAVE IT WHERE IT FELL!!

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Re: PAS rack question

#7 Post by GinettaG15 » Mon Dec 09, 2024 10:17 pm

the electric-PAS systems, which are becoming more and more common in the historic-car sector are using an "electric" motor to assist the original steering. so the steering ratio from the rack remains, the "precission" of the rack&pinion steering-rack remains.

the controller of those electric-PAS System can be set by the owner for the "amount" of assistance. there is also a controller available which automatically sets the assistance in relation to the speed.

https://easysteer.co.uk/downloads/

the reason for people asking for such an assistance is mainly caused by the fact that nowadays the cars have been often converted to wider wheels /tyres and hence the former light steering-forces became heavy.

for example, i have TR6 deep-dished wheels fitted, with 195mm wide tyres....stationary the steering is really heavy and i definitely would use my car more frequently, when the steering would be more light.

this said, actually i do not want to invest another 1500pound in the car, just to have a lighter steering.

before i would convert the car to a rare-to-find original hydraulic-assisted PAS, i would always go for the electric-PAS.

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