1987 GT 3800SC, I'm in the process of installing Power Steering,( 1996 Trans Am Rack). Got the old brackets off the T/A Rack, old tie rods off, New Mounting brackets made. Does anyone sell ONLY the Inner "Tie Rod Adapters" ? West Coast Fiero sells the "KIT," (brackets plate And tie rod adapters), but not tie rod adapters separate. Anyone know of a "source" ? Thanks.
It appears they need to be about 1 1/2" long," Externally threaded" on both ends. It looks like it can be made out of a grade 8 or better bolt (the size of the Rack, where the inner tie rod threads in (1996 Firebird) , cut to 1 1/2" long, and then half of it" turned down" and rethreaded to fit the Fiero inner tie rod. Looks like someone with a lathe could make them for next to nothing ! (Cost of 2 bolts and the time to turn and thread them ). Getting these adapters seems to be the hardest part of putting in power steering !
If you don't have any luck finding the adapter here, suggest you nose around locally and try to find a retired machinist who has a home shop. Don't know about where you are located, but around here, machine shops who will do "one-off's" are rapidly disappearing.
OK, adapters are on their way for $50 delivered ! The front cross member is re- bracketed ( Rack is mounted), Now to run the lines front to rear ! For anyone who has considered Power Steering, it's not that hard or expensive ( Pick n pull '96 T/A Rack $40, tie rod adapters $50, 30 feet of 3/8" steel line $35, Bone yard PS Hoses $5 , paint, bolts, etc.( whole deal about will run me about $150 total) and if all the parts were HERE, about 3-4 days time(Not 8 hr days either, maybe 3 hr days).
OK, adapters are on their way for $50 delivered ! The front cross member is re- bracketed ( Rack is mounted), Now to run the lines front to rear ! For anyone who has considered Power Steering, it's not that hard or expensive ( Pick n pull '96 T/A Rack $40, tie rod adapters $50, 30 feet of 3/8" steel line $35, Bone yard PS Hoses $5 , paint, bolts, etc.( whole deal about will run me about $150 total) and if all the parts were HERE, about 3-4 days time(Not 8 hr days either, maybe 3 hr days).
Where do you mount the pump? (or am I showing my ignorance?)
On mine, it couldn't be easier, I'm running a 3800SC, so the pump is already there ! On Fieros with 2.5 4 cyl, 2.8-3.4 6 cyl, just get a pump and brackets from any of the GM cars Or S10 with a 2.8, 3.4 or 2.5 . it's all just bolt on. the only reason GM didn't put it in Fieros is they were on a strict budget and trying to cut pennies. hope that helps. Lou
so far what I can post is a pic of the rack on the cross member. waiting for the clamps, and to final weld the brackets (right now just tacked on. I'll see if I can post it this afternoon.
On mine, it couldn't be easier, I'm running a 3800SC, so the pump is already there ! On Fieros with 2.5 4 cyl, 2.8-3.4 6 cyl, just get a pump and brackets from any of the GM cars Or S10 with a 2.8, 3.4 or 2.5 . it's all just bolt on. the only reason GM didn't put it in Fieros is they were on a strict budget and trying to cut pennies. hope that helps. Lou
Thanks....I figured it probably worked that way...but what caught my eye was that you didn't include the pump in the items you bought...now I know why...you already had it!
the "Clamp" Behind the rack on the left is what gets removed from the Trans Am rack, the aluminum mount on the right behind the rack gets removed from the T/A rack also. The driver side "cross member mount" gets cut off and moved 3" toward the pass side of the cross member. center the rack to the cross member , and re-use the Fiero rack mounts.
should be 3 pix.
while I'm at it. still under construction.
