jcorenman

Crap, that's no fun. "No returns" I can understand, they don't want to run a tool loaner program. But there's got to be at least a "suitable for the purpose" warranty.

When they send the new one, try warming the rack a bit first-- maybe 250F. That won't hurt anything, and the aluminum end-caps will expand faster than the steel collar, loosening it a bit.

Cheers, Jim

Crumpler

Thanks Jim, I will try some heat next time. I guess the other good news is that this is a spare rack and it's being done on a bench -- I'm able to drive the car even while I wait...

Crumpler

To be fair to Pelican, they offered refund or replacement on the Spanner with no hassle.

RFJ

looks to be a casting, maybe not heat treated right . should be a machined part of steel no break that way?

SVOC

I'm going to take a guess here, but is it possible that they are reverse thread??

Crumpler

I can't rule it out, I was going off a 944 video at the time:



Anyone watched this before, it's a de-power theme but shows some disassembly of the central tube from the housing collars.

RET

The collars have right-handed threads.

Crumpler

For those of you that were on the edge of your seat...


Got the second spanner finally.
Presoaked the collars with PB Blaster.
Had Dadddio there for some back up, to make sure I didn't poop the bed again.
Used some freakin heat this time.
Got one side easily, and then the flipping spanner broke again on the second collar and we punched it the rest of the way.
Sorry Glen, lol. I don't know, maybe it's a casting problem, maybe it's that the spanner is not a perfect fit to begin with, just a hair too shallow for the tube. Anyway, now I think the project can speed up a little bit.

FredR

Following your thread with interest. At least yours looks like it is nice and clean corrosion wise wise- mine was left outside for a few years and the piston ends have corroded [uniformly]. such corrosion is very fine and will clean off but whether the shaft will polish up satisfactorily I have no idea at the moment.

I am thinking like you to pull mine apart and play it by ear- nothing to lose as it were. The wrench failures are a bummer.

Rgds

Fred

firemn131

Well, a little of a follow up.
Took the car for a 5-6 mile drive today. First time in 3 years.

No leaks!!!

I exercised the steering unit a good bit..So far so good.

Crumpler

Hey guys, I got the day off and I'm going to try and get the rack done.
At this point... would rather have received a rebuilt unit in a box.





Here is a picture off the rack coming off the car, low quality pic but note the damage to the splines

Crumpler

I torqued to 30 inch pounds, does that sound appropriate?

Crumpler

Yeah, it wasn't as much fun as I thought

Crumpler

It's a fickle town.
The rack was on and working great, no leaks for two weeks.
Then it let go sitting in the garage, in the middle of the night, on the passenger side.
I just shook my head, it's was that past-the-point-of-profanity situation.
I don't know. We had a huge temp swing over a few hours here in the mid west, maybe that was a factor.

I'm done being the hero, ordered a rebuilt unit this morning. My hat is off to those of you that have done it successfully.

byrdman454

Sorry to hear this Dave. Keep your chin up buddy.