Rack and Pinion Steering?
- Thread starter jjorgensen52
- Start date
Re: Rack and Pinion Steering?
Been reading through this thread, I am very interested in this mod when I do the coilovers. Knock on wood it will all work out. My intended date for the mods will be fall/winter of 2008 for the 2009 season.
It sounds like a long time but it's just around the corner for a mod of this nature that still needs refinement and testing. I may be able to supply the stock manifolds and crossover pipe if it will help move this into the final stages.
Also, I think at this point that a parts list may be in order for others considering this option. The tie rod ends were just mentioned but maybe we canget it all in one post? The donor vehicle for the rack and necessary go-with items so we can keep an eye out in the local U-pull-it yard for parts.
I probably can't help much this far away but let me know if there is anything I can do to contribute. Keep up the good work.
Been reading through this thread, I am very interested in this mod when I do the coilovers. Knock on wood it will all work out. My intended date for the mods will be fall/winter of 2008 for the 2009 season.
It sounds like a long time but it's just around the corner for a mod of this nature that still needs refinement and testing. I may be able to supply the stock manifolds and crossover pipe if it will help move this into the final stages.
Also, I think at this point that a parts list may be in order for others considering this option. The tie rod ends were just mentioned but maybe we canget it all in one post? The donor vehicle for the rack and necessary go-with items so we can keep an eye out in the local U-pull-it yard for parts.
I probably can't help much this far away but let me know if there is anything I can do to contribute. Keep up the good work.
![Quickstop [UK]](/forums/data/avatars/m/5/5165.jpg?1570199786){kind=avatar}
Quickstop [UK]
Combating adversyty.
Re: Rack and Pinion Steering?
my engine is out, the car is off the road for a long time and now is perfect for me to look into something like this.
I f matt tells me the year of the explorer, I can look into it. Not promising anything but it seems to offer so many benefits that I would love to have a go!!!
The tie rod ends have been identified and so has the rack - not much further to go!!
my engine is out, the car is off the road for a long time and now is perfect for me to look into something like this.
I f matt tells me the year of the explorer, I can look into it. Not promising anything but it seems to offer so many benefits that I would love to have a go!!!
The tie rod ends have been identified and so has the rack - not much further to go!!
95xtreme
New member
Re: Rack and Pinion Steering?
you can also use a Mustange rack it is the same length. I just put it into my frame and it fits pretty well but you have to clearance a few parts of the frame and need a custom steering shaft.
I used a rack out of a 92 with the sport suspension that has quicker steering ratios.
I will post some pictures in my project thread later this week when I organize my pictures.
you can also use a Mustange rack it is the same length. I just put it into my frame and it fits pretty well but you have to clearance a few parts of the frame and need a custom steering shaft.
I used a rack out of a 92 with the sport suspension that has quicker steering ratios.
I will post some pictures in my project thread later this week when I organize my pictures.
4.3CPI
New member
Re: Rack and Pinion Steering?
Please do. Posts are worth nothing without pics. The mounting brackets, and steering shaft mods are what I want the most.
Matt, a Classic? I saw a Chevy that ONLY said classic on it today in traffic. It looked like a Malibu, before the current generation. Like an '03 or '04 bodystyle.
Please do. Posts are worth nothing without pics. The mounting brackets, and steering shaft mods are what I want the most.
Matt, a Classic? I saw a Chevy that ONLY said classic on it today in traffic. It looked like a Malibu, before the current generation. Like an '03 or '04 bodystyle.
mattw
Active member
Re: Rack and Pinion Steering?
OK, I finally got back into this.. Its more work than I initially thought it would be. I ended up cutting the upper mount off of the front diff and creating a new one down below. The neck of the rack and pinion wants to fall exactly where that upper mount resides.
Upper top bracket cut off:
New mount down below:
I hope to have some pics of the rack actually mounted/bolted in the frame after this weekend.
-Matt
OK, I finally got back into this.. Its more work than I initially thought it would be. I ended up cutting the upper mount off of the front diff and creating a new one down below. The neck of the rack and pinion wants to fall exactly where that upper mount resides.
Upper top bracket cut off:
New mount down below:
I hope to have some pics of the rack actually mounted/bolted in the frame after this weekend.
-Matt
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mattw
Active member
Re: Rack and Pinion Steering?
I traced all of the brackets that I made. Maybe you could talk Renz into getting them waterjet cut to save you some time.
I still need to weld(or have Renz weld) the 1/4" alum to the diff but that one took a bit of time to get just right...
-Matt
TT350 said:
I traced all of the brackets that I made. Maybe you could talk Renz into getting them waterjet cut to save you some time.
I still need to weld(or have Renz weld) the 1/4" alum to the diff but that one took a bit of time to get just right...
-Matt
mattw
Active member
Re: Rack and Pinion Steering?
I made some progress.. This is from the bottom of the vehicle looking up at the rack:
Here you can see how I modified the motor mount pad(metal will be welded back in behind it) to clear the explorer steering shaft:
At this point it looks like everything clears and like I'll be able to use a combination of a U-joint shaft and the explorer shaft to make it all work..
-Matt
I made some progress.. This is from the bottom of the vehicle looking up at the rack:
Here you can see how I modified the motor mount pad(metal will be welded back in behind it) to clear the explorer steering shaft:
At this point it looks like everything clears and like I'll be able to use a combination of a U-joint shaft and the explorer shaft to make it all work..
-Matt
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95xtreme
New member
Re: Rack and Pinion Steering?
looks good man, just be happy you do not have the fullsize diff to contend with. Now are you planning on running 3 joints total? i.e. one off the base of the column, one off the rack and a carrier in the middle? or are you less then the 18 degrees you are suppose to be at with 2 joint just column and rack?
looks good man, just be happy you do not have the fullsize diff to contend with. Now are you planning on running 3 joints total? i.e. one off the base of the column, one off the rack and a carrier in the middle? or are you less then the 18 degrees you are suppose to be at with 2 joint just column and rack?
mattw
Active member
Re: Rack and Pinion Steering?
I was thinking of just using that stock Explorer double joint right off the rack then a U up at the column. I'm not sure how many degrees that double joint is rated for but it seems to work pretty well at the angle pictured.
So how did you make the mounts for your rack? Similar to what I did??
-Matt
95xtreme said:
I was thinking of just using that stock Explorer double joint right off the rack then a U up at the column. I'm not sure how many degrees that double joint is rated for but it seems to work pretty well at the angle pictured.
So how did you make the mounts for your rack? Similar to what I did??
-Matt
95xtreme
New member
Re: Rack and Pinion Steering?
Yeah pretty much mine were at a slight angle, but that is to clear the diff. I would double check because I have a temp shaft in there same set up, but iot like to bind alot with weight, but I plan to run 3 joints so I can clear my headers and all with ease 17/8 primaries do not leave much room.
mattw said:
Yeah pretty much mine were at a slight angle, but that is to clear the diff. I would double check because I have a temp shaft in there same set up, but iot like to bind alot with weight, but I plan to run 3 joints so I can clear my headers and all with ease 17/8 primaries do not leave much room.
mattw
Active member
Re: Rack and Pinion Steering?
Yeah, I will check that at least a thousand times. The last thing that I want is an unsafe setup that will bind when I need it most. If it binds at all I will also go with a 3 joint setup and a heim joint to hold the shaft in place.
-Matt
95xtreme said:
Yeah, I will check that at least a thousand times. The last thing that I want is an unsafe setup that will bind when I need it most. If it binds at all I will also go with a 3 joint setup and a heim joint to hold the shaft in place.
-Matt
red typhoon
Member
Re: Rack and Pinion Steering?
im tried 2 do the same thing but the down pipe is on the way im using rpm headers with down pipe
im tried 2 do the same thing but the down pipe is on the way im using rpm headers with down pipe
mattw
Active member
Re: Rack and Pinion Steering?
I don't think I've weighed the actual stock steering linkage + tie rods but obviously that would need to be added in to make things fair. That R&P unit had the tie rods attached when weighed..
-Matt
I don't think I've weighed the actual stock steering linkage + tie rods but obviously that would need to be added in to make things fair. That R&P unit had the tie rods attached when weighed..
-Matt
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