Steering Rack transplant…. longnose to bullnose [1 Attachment]

[Tom Nelson [e-mail] [vSAAB]]

Subject car is Project RedBull - '61 model 96 with a transplant steering rack from a '70 V4.

It's apparent that Saab made some changes to the rack for Longnose 2S and V4 cars, but it also looks like they retained the capability to retrofit a later rack in a bullnose 96. And that's my plan, but it appears that the bosses for the attach bolts are about 1/4 - 5/16" thicker for the long nose version as well as closer longitudinal spacing. I envision using a spacer to account for the difference, use longer bolts, and use the outboard bosses to mate with the bullnose firewall bolt pattern.

Since the pinion shaft is the same PN for both racks that means the C/L of the rack and therefore the spline will be pushed fwd at least 1/4." Should not make much difference at the tie rod ends, right? But will I have difficulty making the steering column joint?

Anyone do this retrofit using a spacer, and anyone have a source for the steering column rubber boot in the firewall? Is it same for the V4 cars?

Any other issues I haven't discovered yet?

Tom, aka ElkMtnMan

[Tom Nelson [e-mail] [vSAAB]]

No one has come up with a boot to put in the firewall yet........ and I tested the 2 racks that are the later design housings with the 6 hole mounts. Both of them measure 2-3/8 turns lock to lock. The early specs show 2-1/4 and the later show 2.7 turns lock to lock.

Right now we have the rack out of a 1970 V4 installed in RedBull ....that is one that Jerry and I measured at 2-3/8 turns.

Tom, aka ElkMtnMan

Post by Tom Nelson tom10-+mvbHnN81+***@public.gmane.org [vSAAB]
Subject car is Project RedBull - '61 model 96 with a transplant steering rack from a '70 V4.
It's apparent that Saab made some changes to the rack for Longnose 2S and V4 cars, but it also looks like they retained the capability to retrofit a later rack in a bullnose 96. And that's my plan, but it appears that the bosses for the attach bolts are about 1/4 - 5/16" thicker for the long nose version as well as closer longitudinal spacing. I envision using a spacer to account for the difference, use longer bolts, and use the outboard bosses to mate with the bullnose firewall bolt pattern.
Since the pinion shaft is the same PN for both racks that means the C/L of the rack and therefore the spline will be pushed fwd at least 1/4." Should not make much difference at the tie rod ends, right? But will I have difficulty making the steering column joint?
Anyone do this retrofit using a spacer, and anyone have a source for the steering column rubber boot in the firewall? Is it same for the V4 cars?
Any other issues I haven't discovered yet?
<pastedGraphic.pdf>
Tom, aka ElkMtnMan

[Harry haroldshettles-/[e-mail] [vSAAB]]

Tom....Let met check for the column firewall boot.
Harry S

Sent from my iPhone

Post by Tom Nelson tom10-+mvbHnN81+***@public.gmane.org [vSAAB]
No one has come up with a boot to put in the firewall yet........ and I tested the 2 racks that are the later design housings with the 6 hole mounts. Both of them measure 2-3/8 turns lock to lock. The early specs show 2-1/4 and the later show 2.7 turns lock to lock.
Right now we have the rack out of a 1970 V4 installed in RedBull ....that is one that Jerry and I measured at 2-3/8 turns.
<pastedGraphic.pdf>
Tom, aka ElkMtnMan

Post by Tom Nelson tom10-+mvbHnN81+***@public.gmane.org [vSAAB]
Subject car is Project RedBull - '61 model 96 with a transplant steering rack from a '70 V4.
It's apparent that Saab made some changes to the rack for Longnose 2S and V4 cars, but it also looks like they retained the capability to retrofit a later rack in a bullnose 96. And that's my plan, but it appears that the bosses for the attach bolts are about 1/4 - 5/16" thicker for the long nose version as well as closer longitudinal spacing. I envision using a spacer to account for the difference, use longer bolts, and use the outboard bosses to mate with the bullnose firewall bolt pattern.
Since the pinion shaft is the same PN for both racks that means the C/L of the rack and therefore the spline will be pushed fwd at least 1/4." Should not make much difference at the tie rod ends, right? But will I have difficulty making the steering column joint?
Anyone do this retrofit using a spacer, and anyone have a source for the steering column rubber boot in the firewall? Is it same for the V4 cars?
Any other issues I haven't discovered yet?
<pastedGraphic.pdf>
Tom, aka ElkMtnMan