So.. the manual rack showed up today, looks excellent. Plan to install it after we get the tranny mounted in.

After I install the manual rack (currently we have a p/s rack), I assume I need to get the car alrigned at a shop. correct? Otherwise how do I know everythign is straight?

 

You only can eyeball a certain amount then you need to take it to a shop and let them use a machine to do the rest...If you eyeball it you will be putting a big strain on your wheelbearings and they'll wear out quickly if you don't get them aligned!

 

thats what i figured, thanks! but good for the 10 mile drive to the alignment shop, right?

 

try measuring the distance from a fixed point on the frame to the jam nut on the tie rod end (near the knuckle connection), both sides...use the same distances when installing the new rack- that oughta get you within 1/8 inch or so, if not better

 

Yea, I drove my N/A 10k miles on eyeballing it...I had a lot of vibrations and of couse I destroyed by bearings but you can drive it for 10 or so miles and be OK...It wasn't until about 1500 miles before it started to go bad...AutoXing didn't help either!lol