Steering rack alternative

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meadowhog
Posts: 392
Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:50 pm
Location: South Bucks

Steering rack alternative

Post by meadowhog » Sat Jun 14, 2014 11:32 pm

Can someone advise on the options for an alternative steering rack apart from an early midget, to go with MGB steering arms. I heard an early ford rack would do but not sure which. A MK1 escort looks promising but a quick rack with a 2.5 end to end may fit but that ratio is a bit high and the rest are over 3 which is looking too much.

Mal
Posts: 672
Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2008 5:39 am
Location: NZ

Post by Mal » Sun Jun 15, 2014 12:47 am

You could go with an MX5 power rack. It's 2.7 turns from lock to lock. I have done it to my Tiger and a Toyota MR2 electric power steering pump.
You could make the rack manual if you wanted.
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meadowhog
Posts: 392
Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:50 pm
Location: South Bucks

Post by meadowhog » Sun Jun 15, 2014 9:59 pm

Hi Mal, yes its an option and I may just do that. Ive read your thread and it sounds like I could be convinced. For now if MX5 rack is an option, can it be fitted without the pump (job for later) and do you remember what kind of UJ / system is needed to join the rack to column?

Mal
Posts: 672
Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2008 5:39 am
Location: NZ

Post by Mal » Mon Jun 16, 2014 9:19 am

Hi Simon

You can change a power rack to manual in a permanent way but I don't think you have to. You would need to talk to a steering specialist to be certain. The MR2 has speed sensitive steering which provides full assistance at slow speeds and little or none at open road speeds, so I would think that as long as the rack has fluid in it should be OK.
I think it is a question that you need to ask to someone who knows so you don't damage the seals.

The UJ are from Flaming river in the US. They were good to deal with. I think the cost was about $400 US. If you decide to go with it talk with them on the freight as they can do it way cheaper than the horrible on line freight charge.
The MX5 has the same spline as the Tiger rack so there may be a way of using a using another UJ from another car.
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