Page 2 of 2

Posted: December 4th, 2006, 11:02 am
by Guy Croft
well, me, I wrote to the exhaust firm in very bad German, got no reply. Text below.
If any kind German member would like to write or phone him and ask them to state whether their exhaust header fits the LHD Spider with rack and pinion steering I'd be pleased to hear.

From: Croftengines@aol.com
To: info@gb-motorentechnik.de
Cc: branda@sportspider.wanadoo.co.uk
Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2006 3:11 PM
Subject: Faecherkruemmer - 4-1 Fiat Spider exhaust manifold

Guten Tag!

Auf meinem Forum mochte Jemand wissen ob Ihre 4-1 rostfrei Eisen Faecherkruemmer (bitte sehen Sie Foto) kann auf dem Fiat Spider 2 liter (LHD) benutzt werden, wenn das Auto Zahnstangenienkung hat.
Ihr Konnt seine Frage an:
http://guy-croft.com/viewtopic.php?t=579
sehen.
Ich bedanke mich sehr fur Ihre Hilfe! Sie Konnen zum Kunde direkt antworten, Ben Ellis, wenn Sie wollen, sein Name ist oben.
Mit freundlichen Grussen

GC

Posted: December 4th, 2006, 9:03 pm
by branda
Thanks Guy - I didn't have a clue what you wrote but it all sounded good to me. I could definitely find a home for one of these manifolds if they stock them. I think from looking at the site that they probably do.

Re: 124 Spider Rack and Pinion

Posted: October 21st, 2018, 7:18 pm
by Spider 1969
I'm in the middle of a rack and pinion steering conversion on my 1969 124 Spider AS. I've found all parts of the latest (post 1985-5) Spider DS except the steering arms as bolted to the king pin / steering knuckle. They do differ from the ones used with the regular steering box. Using the old ones will probably induce bump steer and or a change in turning radius.

Can one of the respected members help me out with pictures comparing the pre 1985-5 with post 1985-5 (rack and pinion) steering arms. Any measurements would also be appreciated. This'll help in assessing wether I can modify a regular set. Any leads to a pair for sale will also be highly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Charles

Re: 124 Spider Rack and Pinion

Posted: November 23rd, 2018, 3:47 pm
by Sandro
Hi Charles

I have a crossmember off an 85.5 spider, a 131 rack, and those steering arms. I have both sets off the car so I can help you out. I wan to keep them as I want to make this conversion at some point. I would be interested is knowing what you have done on your conversion too if we could swap notes.

regards

Sandro

Re: 124 Spider Rack and Pinion

Posted: November 26th, 2018, 9:07 pm
by Spider 1969
Hi Sandro,

Missed your reply this weekend during my daily check inns; sorry for that. If you could make and post side to side photos from different angles comparing the steering arms that would be great.

* So far I have removed all the front suspension with the engine in situ on my car lift.
* During removal of the cross member two bolts (one on the right and one on the left) were spinning so I had to remove them using a disc grinder. I have replaced the bolts from the under side of the rail.
* The DS crossmember differs from the AS one (and possibly all European pre 1976 models) in that the crossmember itself is "lowered" 5 mm below the frame rails and engine mounts. This has been done by adding a 5 mm thick steel bars onto the crossmember and between the crossmember engine mount supports. See attached photos. I have removed these steel bars to make the crossmember height in respect to the car as intended for my 1969 AS.
* Next ops will be to install the modified cross member and related suspension/steering parts. (No steering arms at this moment of course).

I will post progress here.

Best regards,

Charles

Re: 124 Spider Rack and Pinion

Posted: January 15th, 2019, 2:14 pm
by Sandro
Hi Charles

apologies I didn't see the reply either. I can take pictures when I am back at home Friday for you side by side. I have both types loose.

regards

Sandro

Re: 124 Spider Rack and Pinion

Posted: January 22nd, 2019, 8:28 pm
by Spider 1969
Hi Sandro,

No probs, did catch your reply only today due to a stay in South Africa during which, I don't know why, could not open this website.

In the mean time I have found the right steering arms so I won't need the comparison photo's anymore. Thanks anyway!

Upgrade has been halted due to vacation but I will start up again and post progress on this site.

Best regards,

Charles

Re: 124 Spider Rack and Pinion

Posted: January 23rd, 2019, 4:12 pm
by Guy Croft
forum is deliberately blocked to some countries because of hack attacks in previous years..

G

Re: 124 Spider Rack and Pinion

Posted: February 17th, 2019, 8:33 pm
by Spider 1969
Struggling a bit with the steering column positioning as the angle of the steering column of the DS series is more horizontal than my on my AS series. As this angle is given by the design of the pedal box this means I have to modify my pedal box.

If anyone has a DS pedal box I would appreciate it if he could measure the angle of the steering column by noting and posting the triangle sides A, B and C as given in below picture. Total length D of the top side of the pedal box would also be nice.

Best regards,

Charles