Steering U-joint clearance

[JGRacing]

Here is a new problem with my cursed car.  I got a new lower steering assembly and the knuckle on the u-joint at the steering rack hits the frame.  The plate that the rack attaches to looks like it was bent and moved back, but not enough to cause the clearance problem.  The old u-joint is a more compact design and the knuckles do not stick out as much.  Does anyone know a good priest that can do an exorcism on my car?  The u-joints on the steering assembly look like what 600 has in their online catalog.  Has anyone run into this problem before? 

John

[JGRacing]

Here is what the new u-joints look like.
http://www.daymotorsports.com/product/2478/PRO-TEK_STEERING_U-JOINT

Here is what the old ones look like.
http://www.daymotorsports.com/product/378/STEERING_U-JOINT

[justfreaky]

Can you find one of the smooth style u-joints in the size that you need?
You might call Day Motorsports and ask them if they have what you need.
I did check the hard copy of their catalog and don't see anything different from what you listed.
Also checked Speedway. Same.
Pegasus has these:

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productselection.asp?Product=1492

Steve

[JGRacing]

The steering assembly has the u-joints welded on already, and I drilled the other end for the inside the car u-joint that bolts on so I cannot send it back.  If I was starting from scratch with what I know now, I would have bought the pieces and to put it together myself.  The steering assembly is the 600 one, so something is not right somewhere. 

What style of u-joint does everyone else have on their car?

[Racinjj]

Your rack plate is bent if the steering shaft hits.  Try to bend it or cut it off and weld a new one on.

[JGRacing]

Agghhh.  Not the answer I was hoping for, but thanks for the reply.  Can anyone help with the exorcism?       

[JGRacing]

I sent a note to the guy from ebay to see if he has any more of those gadgets to straighten the rack mount.  If I had some heavier steel plate in the garage, I would probably just try to make one.   

[justfreaky]

As I recall, that is pretty much all it was; Some heavy plates on either side, with bolt pattern that matches the steering rack mount. As I said in the PM, check out the  post from Al. Also, I think you can now brace the mount (per rules).

Steve

[VMS Motorsports]

Im sure Jeff could make some of those straightening jig/tools....

[Racinjj]

Or a torch and a hammer.  At the dirt Nationals this year we did major reconstruction to Troy Spetens rack plate.

I have some on the shelf if you decide to cut it off and weld on a new one.

[JGRacing]

Thanks Jeff.  I'll give the straighting tool a try first and see if it does the trick.  My welding is decent, but not sure about welding on something that will hold my steering in place.     If I cannot get it close with the tool, I might get one of those from you and see if a local race shop can weld it on for me. 

[JGRacing]

Update on the steering assembly.  Finally got a chance to switch it out last night.  I got the plate as straight as new, attached the u-joint to the box, bolted the box to the plate, and the u-joint is still jammed against the frame.  I looked closer at the plate and in the bend of it, someone cut it, shortened the verticle part, re-welded it, and ground down the outside welds.  This is why I am loosing the clearance.  I sent a note over to Jeff to see about a new plate.