Trouble fitting new stearing rack

[juicerider]

Hi, I have just fitted a new stearing rack as part of a LHD to RHD convention I'm doing on my first e type.
The trouble I'm having is with the track rod ends.
With the weight off the car and the suspension handing, the new tie rod ends don't angle down quite enough to connect to the carrier. There is about 3/8" gap. Now I know it won't be a problem with weight on the wheals, and I could probably get the nut on the end, but this would just put too much force on the stearing rack mounts every time the car is jacked.
So I was thinking it's either the new stearing rack not being manufactured correctly or if not, could the shocks be too long. They have been changed by the previous owner to gas spax. I measured them up and when hanging down they are 43cm from the centre of the eyelets. Is this about right? Or could it be anything else I'm missing?
Thanks
Steve

[mgcjag]

Hi Steve.....thete is extensive info on tne forum re this problem.....basically you need trackrod ends that have more angular movement.....SNG have had them re manufactured.......so make sure you get the correct ones... http://www.sngbarratt.com/ProductDetail ... e5fdb1&l=7 out of interest check your old ends against your new ones
The full monty here http://www.myetype.co.uk/forum/viewtopi ... res#p43724

[christopher storey]

It sounds more likely to be the wrong track rod ends , but it is essential that you check the damper extended length, which for safety should not exceed about 405mm between the centre of the bushes . Mine were about 430mm and the result was I suffered a fatigue fracture of a track rod within about 60 miles

[juicerider]

Thanks for the advice guys.
I have taken it all on board and ordered new shocks and track rod ends from SNG
The shocks on it atm are 430 mm long, and yeah the track rod ends did not have enough angular movement either.
Definitely a potential failure. I find it hard to believe the Gas Spax fitted were for an e type.