Help with steering gear

[sulak]

I have a Carter Talon 150 that needs a new steering gear. Mine is a 90-degree gear. Here's a link for the replacement part, which is a 45-degree gear. https://www.carterbrothersparts.com/carter-talon-150-steering-gear.html

I contacted them, and they said the 90-degree version is obsolete, the 45-degree version they sell is not adaptable to my kart, and there were no suggestions for a replacement.

I'm thinking of (1) buying the 45-degree gear anyway and figuring out how to lengthen or shorten the linkages to make it fit or (2) buying a 90-degree gear like this and trying make it fit.

Hammerhead Steering Gear - 8.25" Body, 90 Degree Angle - 4.000.013

4.000.013, 8.25" Body, 90 degree angle steering gear

hammerheadperformance.com

Before I throw money at it and order something, just want advice on the better route or maybe a third option I haven't thought of.

 

[Edwin Spangler]

Any way to rebuild the one you have?

 

[sulak]

Any way to rebuild the one you have?

Inside the body, there is what looks like a cast-aluminum sleeve that the rod rides in. It's cracked, and a couple pieces have fallen out. The wheel is getting progressively harder to turn as a result. The way these things are built, they don't seem serviceable. If I'm wrong and that's a common wear part, let me know, and I'll get it back off the cart and try to disassemble.

 

[Hellion]

I am having trouble visualizing the current steering setup and the amount of room available, etc. Can you post some photos? A reminder that you can upload them directly to the site, no need for a third party Photobucket nonsense.

Nearly anything is possible with these karts and buggies, even adapting something else.

 

[Jacka$$withawrench]

Inside the body, there is what looks like a cast-aluminum sleeve that the rod rides in. It's cracked, and a couple pieces have fallen out. The wheel is getting progressively harder to turn as a result. The way these things are built, they don't seem serviceable. If I'm wrong and that's a common wear part, let me know, and I'll get it back off the cart and try to disassemble.

check mc-scam-mastercarr.com?

 

[sulak]

I am having trouble visualizing the current steering setup and the amount of room available, etc. Can you post some photos? A reminder that you can upload them directly to the site, no need for a third party Photobucket nonsense.

Nearly anything is possible with these karts and buggies, even adapting something else.

Ignore the dirt. The kids love to do donuts.

 

[sulak]

Wider angle

 

[sulak]

check mc-scam-mastercarr.com?

Do you mean take it apart and then try to find replacement pieces at that website?

 

[Hellion]

If it's 45° then, will that eliminate the need for the second U-joint at the rack?

OR, will it have a straight shot, so to speak, of the steering shaft going into the rack?

 

[sulak]

If it's 45° then, will that eliminate the need for the second U-joint at the rack?

OR, will it have a straight shot, so to speak, of the steering shaft going into the rack?

If I eliminated the second u-joint, looks like a straightish shot to the first u-joint, but then the straight part would need to be longer.
Is there any reason the second u-joint can't connect to a 45-degree steering gear as is and just operate as a more-or-less straight section?

 

[Denny]

I can’t see why you could not adapt the 45* rack. Infact it looks like it would work better. You can weld, can’t you?

 

[Hellion]

Is there any reason the second u-joint can't connect to a 45-degree steering gear as is and just operate as a more-or-less straight section?

No, there's no reason it cannot operate as you say. It might be a little or a lot longer with the U-joint straightened out. If everything is the same, the size of the replacement rack and the attachment points, etc, I foresee no real problems.

Denny is right. If you can weld or fabricate, you'll do well.

 

[Denny]

Yay! Hellion said I was right!

 

[sulak]

I can’t see why you could not adapt the 45* rack. Infact it looks like it would work better. You can weld, can’t you?

Yes, was hoping for a drop-in solution, but I'll fabricate what's needed. Thanks.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Yes, was hoping for a drop-in solution, but I'll fabricate what's needed. Thanks.

Lol. Drop in.
Ive never had anything truly bolt on. Always have to modify something.

 

[Master Hack]

Lol. Drop in

What is this "drop in" thing? Sounds like some abstract idea, thought up by some marketing clown.

 

[Hellion]

Lol. Drop in.
Ive never had anything truly bolt on. Always have to modify something.

What is this "drop in" thing? Sounds like some abstract idea, thought up by some marketing clown.

What horrible lives you fellas must live. I bet bread slices don’t even drop into your toasters, not without a shoehorn or something… You have my deepest sympathies.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

How did you know!?
I put a bagel in my toaster and when it's done I have to flick the handle and make the bagel jump out of the slot and grab it before it falls back in.

 

[Edwin Spangler]

Hold up... This might help, Idk look into this 90 vs 45 degree thing. Can you show me a picture of the differences?

I ask because I also have that same rack in the same kart. When I first started "fixing up" our kart, I THOUGHT I needed a new rack. Without thinking twice, I ordered a "replacement" from GPS (which I denounce BTW, horrible store if you have any problems with their products). I ended up not needing it and selling it on Ebay but before I did, I gave it a quick look over, although through the plastic.

Thinking back, it looked like an exact replacement.

-But dont let this 'convince' you because I think ive been wrong once before. Almost positive it was the same tho.

 

[Edwin Spangler]

Lol I just thought about this.. My gear isnt in the best shape. I sure hope a replacement isnt impossible to find. Although I DO have the ability to customize tie-rods to fit. I imagine that would be the most difficult part.