2" rack extension problems?
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2" rack extension problems?
Anyone had any problems with the boots and breather tube that connects the boots? I put the extended boots on, and the breather tube is too short to reach both boots. If i put it in one boot, it won't reach the other. And the clamps suck also....
I have a brand new mustang II power rack, based on the 1982-88 thunderbird rack. It's designed for the heidts crossmember, which I have.
At the other end on this pic, the breather tube doesn't even come close to securing to the breather nipple.
new boot on the left, you can see how the breather tube nipple is about 1/8" inch farther. the old boot nipple hole is not visible in this picture.
I have a brand new mustang II power rack, based on the 1982-88 thunderbird rack. It's designed for the heidts crossmember, which I have.
At the other end on this pic, the breather tube doesn't even come close to securing to the breather nipple.
new boot on the left, you can see how the breather tube nipple is about 1/8" inch farther. the old boot nipple hole is not visible in this picture.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 934
Likes: 2
From: Sterling, Virginia
My rack doesn't have those vents in the rubber at all. New to me. I set up mine at least 6 years ago, maybe the vents a new thing, but mine works fine without any vents in the rubber. It looks like you could just get some steel brake line and cut to size. I sure someone with more knowledge will be along soon. I'll learn something new!!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,965
Likes: 261
From: East KY
Anyone had any problems with the boots and breather tube that connects the boots? I put the extended boots on, and the breather tube is too short to reach both boots. If i put it in one boot, it won't reach the other. And the clamps suck also....
I have a brand new mustang II power rack, based on the 1982-88 thunderbird rack. It's designed for the heidts crossmember, which I have.
At the other end on this pic, the breather tube doesn't even come close to securing to the breather nipple.
new boot on the left, you can see how the breather tube nipple is about 1/8" inch farther. the old boot nipple hole is not visible in this picture.
I have a brand new mustang II power rack, based on the 1982-88 thunderbird rack. It's designed for the heidts crossmember, which I have.
At the other end on this pic, the breather tube doesn't even come close to securing to the breather nipple.
new boot on the left, you can see how the breather tube nipple is about 1/8" inch farther. the old boot nipple hole is not visible in this picture.
LOL. I was telling Ross just this past week how much I HATE those clamps. I feel for you. I have a manual rack, and it doesn't have the vent tube. That brings me to this question--are you sure you had to put the extensions on for a power rack? I can't remember the specifics, but it seems like I had to put the extensions in there due to the fact that I had a manual rack? Or am I totally wrong about this and it's been too long already? You'll probably have to cut a small piece of fuel line or put a line extension on it to make it work. I'm convinced that the manufacturers of these MII kits are well aware of these recurrent little aggravating problems, but they never seemingly do anything to fix it for the next customer.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
That's exactly what heidts said when I called them. They said they've never heard of this problem and couldn't tell me how to fix it. He also asked me if I had the correct power steering rack.
Here's the rack I purchased.
Power Steering Rack and Pinion New TCI Heidts Fatman Mustang 2 Clip Frontend | eBay
and here's the extension kit i bought... it give's me the option for power rack
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Mustan...sion,7488.html
Here's the rack I purchased.
Power Steering Rack and Pinion New TCI Heidts Fatman Mustang 2 Clip Frontend | eBay
and here's the extension kit i bought... it give's me the option for power rack
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Mustan...sion,7488.html
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 934
Likes: 2
From: Sterling, Virginia
LOL. I was telling Ross just this past week how much I HATE those clamps. I feel for you. I have a manual rack, and it doesn't have the vent tube. That brings me to this question--are you sure you had to put the extensions on for a power rack? I can't remember the specifics, but it seems like I had to put the extensions in there due to the fact that I had a manual rack? Or am I totally wrong about this and it's been too long already? You'll probably have to cut a small piece of fuel line or put a line extension on it to make it work. I'm convinced that the manufacturers of these MII kits are well aware of these recurrent little aggravating problems, but they never seemingly do anything to fix it for the next customer.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,965
Likes: 261
From: East KY
I think a very short piece of rubber fuel line on the male end of that vent tube with a piece of appropriately sized brake tube like you mentioned on the other end will give him the extension he needs.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,965
Likes: 261
From: East KY
That's exactly what heidts said when I called them. They said they've never heard of this problem and couldn't tell me how to fix it. He also asked me if I had the correct power steering rack.
Here's the rack I purchased.
Power Steering Rack and Pinion New TCI Heidts Fatman Mustang 2 Clip Frontend | eBay
and here's the extension kit i bought... it give's me the option for power rack
Mustang II, T-Bird Inner Tie Rod Extension - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop
Here's the rack I purchased.
Power Steering Rack and Pinion New TCI Heidts Fatman Mustang 2 Clip Frontend | eBay
and here's the extension kit i bought... it give's me the option for power rack
Mustang II, T-Bird Inner Tie Rod Extension - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop
As far as those vent tubes, can't you just put a little body english into those tubes on the rack itself and bend them sideways the half inch so that it seats itself inside the rubber piece on the boot? Kind of like bending brake line, but a little bigger. Or could you loosen its anchoring nut and let it spin around some so that it'll reach? It looks like a very miniscule distance actually.
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
I like the rubber fuel line idea doc. I'll give it a shot and see what I come up with. thx guys
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Hughson
did yo have any problems with getting the stock inner tie rods off the rack?
i tried to beat the roll pins out with a punch with no success so i drilled them out and still cant get get the big nut to move
i tried to beat the roll pins out with a punch with no success so i drilled them out and still cant get get the big nut to move
old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
Posts: 5,924
Likes: 1,053
From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
ditch the clamps..... use a good quality black cable tie, pull it tight and move on
afa the tubes..... just cut you some new ones from alum or steel tubing....I really don't think they are necessary either
john
afa the tubes..... just cut you some new ones from alum or steel tubing....I really don't think they are necessary either
john
Freshman User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
I think your problem is the t-bird rack
Isn't the t-bird rack 1/2" wider than the fox mustang rack? My heidts M2 kit came with a Unisteer power rack that had a sticker that it was for 79-95 Mustangs. I am pretty sure the Heidt's kit will accept both the mustang rack and the T-Bird rack. The passenger side tab is slotted to allow for the longer T-bird rack mounting dimensions. Maybe the bellows are designed around the narrower mustang rack. My rack extensions and bellows went on the mustang rack that came in my kit just fine. It has the crossover tube just like you show in the pics. I transferred it from the stock bellows to the new ones and it fit.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
The vent tube is for equalizing pressure in the boots when you turn. If the tube is short then just make a new one out of a brake line, if its just a straight piece like the picture shows. If more used to the newer factory stuff where that little tube has multiple bends.
Those clamps work really well if you have the proper tool.
I only resort to a zip tie if the rack is installed in the vehicle and I can't get the tool in there.
Those clamps work really well if you have the proper tool.
I only resort to a zip tie if the rack is installed in the vehicle and I can't get the tool in there.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
I need to find a source for rack extensions
I am having header clearance problems with my install. I finally got around to connecting the steering, and I can't make the appropriate bends without exceeding the maximum recommendation on the u-joints. I have a very nice pair of ceramic coated headers, and I really want to make them work without beating on them!!! I am considering moving the rack over a couple inches to the driver side. Any suggestions? My rack has 2" extensions on each side. I am thinking I can put both of them on the passenger side. But, I would have to cut the rack brackets off and re-weld them on 2" to the driver side (or make new ones). I think the Fatman MII IFS has only one rack extension on the passenger side. Mine is the Heidt's, and it came with 2 extensions, one for each side. I think doing it this way would put it over too far to the driver side, and I'd have to hack up my cross member and maybe re-work my motor mounts. It would be cool if I could find a 1" extension for the driver side and a 3" for the passenger side. I haven't been able to find them in that size. I know Helix, Flaming River, and Heidts offer the extensions, but I can't find any 3". Does anyone know if Fatman sells just the extensions? May have to actually call them and talk to a human!!!! Or I may end up getting some made at a machine shop.
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