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Thread: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

  1. #1
    ...on your color TV screen... Turbo Mopar Contributor Reeves's Avatar
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    OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    Last year at SDAC, the day before the drag race, one of my outer manual rack bushings fell out. We shoved it back in and crimped the end so it wouldn't fall out again, but it was well worn and still had a lot of play.

    I took the worn manual steering rack out tonight. Compared it to the new I got from Advance.

    The old one has a plastic boot that pops on the hub where the input shaft is to seal it, then there is a boot that attaches to this plastic piece with a hose clamp, and goes up in the firewall to seal it all.

    The new one doesn't have any provision for this plastic boot. It's not even round. It has two bolts where the input shaft goes in.

    The old one has 13 splines on the input shaft.

    The new one has (I think) 26 splines. I didn't sit there and count them all, as I got to 13 and was only half way around.

    The new one has TRW cast into it.

    The old one didn't have a name on it that I could see.

    The old one came from a 79 OMNI in the junkyard.

    Ideas?

    I was going to take it back to exhange it. I think my old power steering knuckle would fit it, but then I have no good way to seal it to the firewall. I don't mind that the knuckles would be exposed, but I'd have a big hole in the firewall where the input shaft goes into the steering column.

    Tim Costello gave me some bushings for my old rack, but I can't figure out how to take it apart. I got it tore down to the rack and the pinion, but don't know where to go after that. I'm assuming that the big plug has to come out, but I don't want to destroy it.

    James Reeves - Reeves Racing
    World's Fastest 8 Valve - 146.88 mph
    86 GLH-T 9.99 at 143.78 mph
    86 GLHS #169 Mom's - complete Super 60 car
    87 Shelby Z 14.16 Dad's - mostly stock, no sh*t!
    88 Shelby Z 13.5 - been in storage for 15 years
    03 SRT-4 12.24 Mom's
    07 Charger 5.7L 12.48 Dad's

  2. #2
    turbo addict Turbo Mopar Contributor iTurbo's Avatar
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    Maybe your old rack was a Saginaw? You can tell if it has the 'S' cast into it.


  3. #3
    ...on your color TV screen... Turbo Mopar Contributor Reeves's Avatar
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    Thanks! I'll go look right now!

    Also, an update. I just got my old power steering rack out of storage. The power steering knuckle won't fit the new manual rack either. The power steering has the much bigger input shaft and like 26 or so spline. This new rack is about the same O.D. as my old manual rack, but has too many splines.

    Also, the old power steering rack has about the same boot configuration as the manual rack, minus the plastic extension piece.

    I wonder if this new rack is for an old Mustang or something? I know they are very similar in design.

    James Reeves - Reeves Racing
    World's Fastest 8 Valve - 146.88 mph
    86 GLH-T 9.99 at 143.78 mph
    86 GLHS #169 Mom's - complete Super 60 car
    87 Shelby Z 14.16 Dad's - mostly stock, no sh*t!
    88 Shelby Z 13.5 - been in storage for 15 years
    03 SRT-4 12.24 Mom's
    07 Charger 5.7L 12.48 Dad's

  4. #4
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor rdnoel86's Avatar
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    I wish I could remember the names but there are a couple of companies that will rebuild your rack for you. I'll try and look around and find the threads. I think 1 company converted someones power rack to a manual and rebuilt it for somewhere around 200 bucks....I would think a rebuild would be less...
    Last edited by rdnoel86; 05-14-2009 at 09:20 AM.

  5. #5
    ...on your color TV screen... Turbo Mopar Contributor Reeves's Avatar
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    It's got a symbol on it, but I don't know what it is. Look at pics.

    Also in pics you can see how the old rack goes together. The plastic boot that goes over the input shaft is right next to the input shaft.
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    James Reeves - Reeves Racing
    World's Fastest 8 Valve - 146.88 mph
    86 GLH-T 9.99 at 143.78 mph
    86 GLHS #169 Mom's - complete Super 60 car
    87 Shelby Z 14.16 Dad's - mostly stock, no sh*t!
    88 Shelby Z 13.5 - been in storage for 15 years
    03 SRT-4 12.24 Mom's
    07 Charger 5.7L 12.48 Dad's

  6. #6
    boostaholic
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    Quote Originally Posted by rdnoel86 View Post
    I wish I could remember the names but there are a couple of companies that will rebuild your rack for you. I'll try and look around and find the trhreads. I think 1 company converted someones power rack to a manual and rebuilt it for somewhere around 200 bucks....I would think a rebuild would be less...
    This info would be good to know since the manual rack coupler is extinct.

  7. #7
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor rdnoel86's Avatar
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    Try this: mavalgear.com .. from what I understand they will do custom stuff as in work on a power rack to make it a livable manual set up....I have no first hand experience with them yet though....

  8. #8
    ...on your color TV screen... Turbo Mopar Contributor Reeves's Avatar
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    They have pictures of OMNI racks all over that website. The one I need!

    Also going to look into Flaming River unit or Unisteer unit. They are more expensive though, but from what I understand, they are all new components.

    James Reeves - Reeves Racing
    World's Fastest 8 Valve - 146.88 mph
    86 GLH-T 9.99 at 143.78 mph
    86 GLHS #169 Mom's - complete Super 60 car
    87 Shelby Z 14.16 Dad's - mostly stock, no sh*t!
    88 Shelby Z 13.5 - been in storage for 15 years
    03 SRT-4 12.24 Mom's
    07 Charger 5.7L 12.48 Dad's

  9. #9
    Invisible Turbo Mopar Contributor mcsvt's Avatar
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    Reeves I may have the coupler you need if you want to stick with the rack you just picked up. You would need to combine it with your original coupler though. I'll try to find the post with the pictures...
    -Gary Mazzone-
    1986 GLHS #168

  10. #10
    Invisible Turbo Mopar Contributor mcsvt's Avatar
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    This thread, post 12 I have some pictures.

    http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=37442
    -Gary Mazzone-
    1986 GLHS #168

  11. #11
    ...on your color TV screen... Turbo Mopar Contributor Reeves's Avatar
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    That's the type of rack I need (the blue one). Only I need it for an OMNI. Did it come with that black plastic extension piece on the input snout?

    The rack I got is not like that.

    Looks like yours has 13 splines, just like my old one.

    James Reeves - Reeves Racing
    World's Fastest 8 Valve - 146.88 mph
    86 GLH-T 9.99 at 143.78 mph
    86 GLHS #169 Mom's - complete Super 60 car
    87 Shelby Z 14.16 Dad's - mostly stock, no sh*t!
    88 Shelby Z 13.5 - been in storage for 15 years
    03 SRT-4 12.24 Mom's
    07 Charger 5.7L 12.48 Dad's

  12. #12
    Bad Mother Flecker Turbo Mopar Staff fleckster's Avatar
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    Reeves, have you tried to compare it to a 1994/1995 Neon manual rack? SInce some of the Neon guys try and use Shadow/CSX racks in their cars, maybe they can go the other way too? Or maybe the one you have is a Neon Rack and that's why it is a little different.

    John M. Fleck

    '83 Dodge Rampage 2.2 w/ 2.5L Turbo 14.79@94
    '87 Shelby Lancer #213 14.99@94
    '89 Chrysler LeBaron GT Turbo 'vert 15.88@92
    '92 Dodge Spirit R/T 13.50@104 ; 13.34@102 on slicks
    '98 Dodge Neon R/T 15.66@89
    '03 Dodge SRT-4 13.91@98

  13. #13
    Invisible Turbo Mopar Contributor mcsvt's Avatar
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    The blue rack did come as you see it. The FR coupler may work for your rack if you end up using it. I could not find the 13 spline coupler anywhere.
    -Gary Mazzone-
    1986 GLHS #168

  14. #14
    ...on your color TV screen... Turbo Mopar Contributor Reeves's Avatar
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    Quote Originally Posted by fleckster View Post
    Reeves, have you tried to compare it to a 1994/1995 Neon manual rack? SInce some of the Neon guys try and use Shadow/CSX racks in their cars, maybe they can go the other way too? Or maybe the one you have is a Neon Rack and that's why it is a little different.
    I have succesfully installed a CSX rack in a Neon with NO problems! They work absolutely AWESOME!

    An L-body is a shorter rack than a Shadow or Neon though.

    Quote Originally Posted by mcsvt View Post
    The blue rack did come as you see it. The FR coupler may work for your rack if you end up using it. I could not find the 13 spline coupler anywhere.
    I have the 13 spline coupler and a worn out 13 spline rack. The new rack was the same O.D. input shaft, only with more splines. I didn't see a pic of the flaming river splines?

    James Reeves - Reeves Racing
    World's Fastest 8 Valve - 146.88 mph
    86 GLH-T 9.99 at 143.78 mph
    86 GLHS #169 Mom's - complete Super 60 car
    87 Shelby Z 14.16 Dad's - mostly stock, no sh*t!
    88 Shelby Z 13.5 - been in storage for 15 years
    03 SRT-4 12.24 Mom's
    07 Charger 5.7L 12.48 Dad's

  15. #15

    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    Quote Originally Posted by Reeves View Post
    It's got a symbol on it, but I don't know what it is. Look at pics.

    Also in pics you can see how the old rack goes together. The plastic boot that goes over the input shaft is right next to the input shaft.
    Who the HELL has a lift like that in their garage!? Man, I am jealous.
    [SIZE="3"] [B]Jon Trotter[/B][/SIZE] [B]1985[/B] Dodge Shelby Charger, Currently decommissioned [B]1987[/B] Shelby GLHS, #937 [B]1987[/B] Shelby Lancer, #628 [QUOTE=Reeves;587010]I can be ready. Please send pics of wife. _____DodgeZ add comments here______[/QUOTE]

  16. #16
    Invisible Turbo Mopar Contributor mcsvt's Avatar
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    Quote Originally Posted by Reeves View Post
    I have the 13 spline coupler and a worn out 13 spline rack. The new rack was the same O.D. input shaft, only with more splines. I didn't see a pic of the flaming river splines?
    I'm on the work computer, when I get home I'll see if I have a pic of it. If not I'll have the measurement.
    -Gary Mazzone-
    1986 GLHS #168

  17. #17
    ...on your color TV screen... Turbo Mopar Contributor Reeves's Avatar
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    Quote Originally Posted by minigts View Post
    Who the HELL has a lift like that in their garage!? Man, I am jealous.
    Me

    James Reeves - Reeves Racing
    World's Fastest 8 Valve - 146.88 mph
    86 GLH-T 9.99 at 143.78 mph
    86 GLHS #169 Mom's - complete Super 60 car
    87 Shelby Z 14.16 Dad's - mostly stock, no sh*t!
    88 Shelby Z 13.5 - been in storage for 15 years
    03 SRT-4 12.24 Mom's
    07 Charger 5.7L 12.48 Dad's

  18. #18
    Invisible Turbo Mopar Contributor mcsvt's Avatar
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    No pictures of the splines on my FR coupler but Rob has some in the KC.

    http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/vb...e&articleid=70
    -Gary Mazzone-
    1986 GLHS #168

  19. #19
    The moderately moderate moderator Turbo Mopar Staff
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    Bryan
    86 GLHS #161, 2016 Impala
    SDAC National Member, SDAC Buckeye Chapter Member

    A man has got to know his limitations.....

  20. #20
    ...on your color TV screen... Turbo Mopar Contributor Reeves's Avatar
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    Re: OMNI manual rack woes - Ideas?

    Quote Originally Posted by mcsvt View Post
    No pictures of the splines on my FR coupler but Rob has some in the KC.

    http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/vb...e&articleid=70
    That is the rack I got new!!! It looks just like that one! It was Advance part number 23-1801 and I need 23-1804.

    Quote Originally Posted by black86glhs View Post
    Thanks! I don't really want a used one, but I might get it anyway for a spare and for the coupler. I still have a Rampage to build!

    James Reeves - Reeves Racing
    World's Fastest 8 Valve - 146.88 mph
    86 GLH-T 9.99 at 143.78 mph
    86 GLHS #169 Mom's - complete Super 60 car
    87 Shelby Z 14.16 Dad's - mostly stock, no sh*t!
    88 Shelby Z 13.5 - been in storage for 15 years
    03 SRT-4 12.24 Mom's
    07 Charger 5.7L 12.48 Dad's

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