The Scorpworks Steering Rack Fix

[Bigunit]

Ok, it's now time to start a new H3 steering rack fix.

I skipped work today (and I'm damn glad I did) to go by and "hang out" with Dwaine at Preferred Chassis and to meet another forum member AZTraveler who wanted to "commission" Dwaine to discuss and hopefully design, a new steering rack fix. As a result, I was able to witness and participate (in a very pedestrian capacity) in the development of a new Scorpworks product as 2 great minds came together today to analyze the issues with the H3 steering rack (present company excluded of course, as I'm talking about Dwaine and AZTraveler).

The 2 of them discussed the issues and causes of the H3 steering rack passenger mount bushing AND bracket and drivers side mount brackets (that was obvious from the bracket that AZTraveler brought with him). Needless to say, Dwaine has come up with a new H3 steering rack "fix" that is completely new, innovative and one that no one has yet attempted to do or designed in any way. As we were discussing the issues and Dwaine was making his observations, asking questions and interjecting his analysis and thoughts, looking at the guinea pig parts, new and worn out parts, he produced his signature black Sharpie and "off the top of his head" sketched the design right on his 2,500 lb. 1" thick steel work table (as he is known to do). What he came up with for the design is the answer to many issues with the steering rack. Trust me, you will soon see for yourselves. In addition, he also suggested other "improvements" to the internals of the steering rack and he already is sourcing some parts to see if can mod the guinea pig rack even more. Seeing Dwaine at work is truly remakable as he can visualize things that I can't even think of, much less grasp.

STAY TUNED! :corn:

 

[ReconH3]

Excellent news. It could solve one of the H3's Achilles tendon. Thanks guys!

 

[Happy Hummer]

Ah, it is always so great to visualize and bang out some new fix.... I'm real excited to see this new rack support.
Chris

 

[Happy Hummer]

I just hope BigUnit that it will be attainable at a price most of us can swing. I.e. less then a new rack or equal to.

Chris

 

[JoshuaL]

:corn:

 

[cgalpha08]

Double :corn:

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

 

[Paladine71]

:corn:

 

[06 H3]

I AM ****IN STOKED!!!!

We love you Dwaine!

 

[3Hummers]

Luis I have a new rack I can ship you if you guys need one to work on.

 

[H3slate]

:corn: Definitely in on this!! Hope this project moves along quickly. I could use a fix for the rack now. :sigh:

 

[SC_Hummer_Guy]

I hope to god this can be a permanent fix!

 

[Bigunit]

Luis I have a new rack I can ship you if you guys need one to work on.

Dave, thanks for the offer but AZTraveler gave Dwaine one of his new racks to use as the guinea pig for product development. Now if atv4speed comes up with the solid aluminum mounts for the drivers side of the rack, combined with Dwaine's fixes, may well be the permanent rack fixes we've all been looking and waitng for.

 

[06 H3]

Thanks to kaleb for breaking about 5 racks so we can get this permanent fix going.

Luis, can you ask Dwaine what's the max tire size he feels we can safely run on these racks? While we fix up the weak mounting at some point sheer size or lack of steering rack size will be the limiting factor to the tire size...if that made any sense

 

[AZtraveler]

My overland trips tend to be a week or two in length and field repairs are something I try to avoid - if possible. To that end we are looking for a solution to the steering rack issue, and failing that a way to repair - rather than replace it in the field. Not sure what the outcome will be, but Dwaine is a bright guy and I'm sure he will come up with ideas we haven't even thought of yet. Stay tuned

 

[shawndondo]

Very Interested

 

[58Bisc]

At this point, most H3's have over 75k on them and are approaching the time for front end rebuilds. Upgraded steering racks, tie rod ends and upper control arms with replaceable ball joints are needed to keep these trucks running for years to come. I would think the market for these upgrades will grow as more soccer moms and mall crawlers trade the H3's in. This should make the cost of new trail H3 inventory come down in cost.

I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with.

 

[silvrzuki77]

75K miles???? I just turned 35550 on my alpha T!

 

[06 H3]

I've got 96k I NEED that steering rack fix

 

[3Hummers]

We have between 75K and 80K on the H3 Alpha.

 

[R-code17815]

Any pics or updates?

 

[reaper]

I plan on replacing the drivers side bushings with solid aluminum bushings, and getting a solid mount on the passenger side. I've got a contact here in Denver to help me-- Hanksville Hot Rods: http://www.hanksvillehotrods.com/, and will take my spare rack over there this weekend or next. Before I do-- what other fixes are in the works? The Australian bushing kit is still floating out there, but I think we need a solid mount.

 

[atvspeed4]

Yep solid bushings on drivers side and a clamp on passenger side, we are waiting for a quote back from one more shop hopefully this week on the clamp. Really wish I had a spare rack to leave with them. In time I guess.

 

[reaper]

Cool-- I'll check here too. The shop next to Hank has a waterjet and cuts all sorts of things... will get his take on it. BTW, my Hunner sleeve (w/ rubber) popped out somewhere on Behind the Rocks in Moab. I'm back to the stock bushing thanks to Jeff. It really sucks without anything on the passenger side!!!!

 

[Hunner]

It would help to know if you did any grinding on the bracket so it would fit the sleeve/bushing tight? and still had it come out. If you did not the rubber probably allowed it to squirm out. That Behind the Rocks video looked like an extreme test for it.

I look forward to new methods of containment.

 

[reaper]

It would help to know if you did any grinding on the bracket so it would fit the sleeve/bushing tight?

Backcountryislife's steering rack guy installed it... I should have pulled it and done the clamp myself. That was my mistake. I don't believe he did any grinding. If I use the sleeve again I'll grind it down a little, I bought a grinder just for that purpose. (I have a spare Hunner sleeve, but may get a better solid clamp made, we'll see.) Also, I'll get one side of the sleeve welded to the clamp if I go that route.