Thread: '23 bucket with bump steer

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Hey guys---I helped a friend put a rack and pinion steering on a model A pickup last year. The rack mounts to the rear of the axle, and yes there is a splined coupler between the shaft going into the rack and the shaft coming down from the steering wheel. As the axle moves up and down, the splined shaft slides in and out of the coupler. It really don't move very much---a maximum total travel "in and out" of less than 3/16". The shaft coming out of the rack is tipped up about 10 degrees, and the shaft that leads up to it and the splined coupler is angled down at the front about the same amount, with the end closest to the car passing thru a support bearing., then two universal joints and intermediate shafts up to the steering wheel.

One thing that Total Performance does that I don't trust is the "thread cutting bolts" they use to fasten key items like coil over brackets. A couple of years ago I had Mickey deliver a T bucket kit to Daytona for me, and he and I talked about these bolts. I realize he is using them so he can market the T kit to guys who can build it without welding equipment, but these things are downright dangerous in my opinion. I really like Mickey, and he took the time to explain to me how these bolts cut special threads into the frame rails and secure very well, but we took one look at them and have to disagree with him. After all, the wall thickness of his frames is only 1/8 inch, and even if it were 3/16 like my frame, there just isn't enough thread area to hold these critical items on securely.

My Son tells me he has seen posts on other forums about these bolts coming loose, and I am not surprised. But like I said, Mickey is trying to build a T bucket for the masses, and feels this bolt together system allows anyone to construct a rod.

Every time I look at the bolts I threw in my bolt box, I wonder why I am keeping them because they will never go on any car I build. Maybe I'll use them to fasten the rear view mirror.


Don