Quick Rack

[Snapperpaul]

My run back to the barn Sunday was rapid to say the least, even being a bit cautious I was having trouble turning the wheel enough.

I think I need a quick rack, anyone used a power steering rack without the power? Was it much or just a little quicker, how many turns lock to lock?

[Bob Tucker]

Hi Paul, I use a Sierra power steering rack.

About 2.2 turns lock to lock, std rack has 4.2

Dont know what rack comes as standadrd, mine is a sliding pillar wishbone conversion, designed to use the Sierra width rack.

V. Heavy up to about 5 mph with TOYO 888s, managable with Pilot Exaltos.

Be aware the power rack has a different length input shaft and splines to connect to the column

Bob

[Big Jim]

Yours is a Sierra rack in a mark 3 isn't it Paul? I got the rack & pinion from Rally design and changed them over, easy enough job. quick rack kit, sierra RHD

[Snapperpaul]

Thank you Bob and Jim, 2.2 turns sounds a bit to much, I think the Rally Design is closer to 3, will have to see what I can find, spent a bit to much lately but definatelly need a quicker rack

[Longboarder]

I have the rally design quick rack innards fitted. To me it has been the worst mod I have made to the car. Heavy to drive at slow speed. Need two hands to move wheel to park. Fine on the motorway. Not really aware of any benefit at all.

 

Nigel

[Grizzly]

Hi All,

 

I too have been thinking about getting myself a quicker rack.

Rather than start another thread I thought I'd tag on to this one.

I think I have the Metro rack.

Does anyone know if there's a conversion kit for these?

[fry61]

I have the rally design quick rack innards fitted. To me it has been the worst mod I have made to the car. Heavy to drive at slow speed. Need two hands to move wheel to park. Fine on the motorway. Not really aware of any benefit at all.

 

Nigel

Has the steering effort been made heavier by the increased track; produced by the greater off-set wheels we all seem to use as "standard"

[Longboarder]

No. It was an instant hate thing after fitting it. First drive out I thought I might have assembled it wrong. Took time adjusting the worm to screw endfloat. Light as a feather on jacks. Heavy as soon as the wheels touch the ground. I kept the quick rack as I thought I would get used to it with time but it's just a pain 99% of the time. Wheels are 6 x 13 minilites with 185/60 888's on.

 

Nigel

[Snapperpaul]

Problem I feel I have is I can't get enough lock on quickly enough, feels like I will loose it as soon as the back steps out, thought about a bigger wheel but that just makes it feel like more travel.

[Guest old_timbo]

I have the Metro rack too and feel it is a bit 'slow' and makes it difficult to 'catch' the rear end. Actually the 2B version is not a standard Metro rack but a shortened left hand one (special Tricky Dicky bulk purchase from TRW!), so finding a direct bolt-in replacement is impossible. The Metro rack is also used in MGF and TFs. The standard Metro / F rack is 3.2 turns lock to lock, but the TF rack is 2.8 so I recon it would be just right and as I now have adjustable caster I could compensate for any weight issues. I have had it in mind for a while to get hold of a TF rack and try and fit the guts into a 2B rack, but have never found one at a sensible price (MGF owners want them).

I have also thought about changing to a MK11 Escort rack (various different ratios available) but this would be a whole level more pain involving new cross members, different drive splines and possible bump steer issues due to different dimensions etc. and I'm not sure the effort is worth it. GBS could probably advise further as I think this is what the last 2Bs used after the Metro racks ran out.

[Snapperpaul]

Luckily my S3 uses a standard Sierra rack with standard Sierra track control arms so no bumpsteer problems as long as I keep with Sierra stuff.

[Big Jim]

My rack is still the quick rack, and at first I clamped the wheel with my hands, because the slightest movement would send you over 3 lanes, now that I've got used to it, I don't really notice it anymore, and driver one-handed when cruising, using 2 hands only when manoeuvring or "proceeding enthusiastically"

[Bob Tucker]

Hi Paul, I use a Sierra power steering rack.

About 2.2 turns lock to lock,

 

 

Sorry duff gen, I just rechecked & its about 2.6 turns

 

Bob

[Snapperpaul]

Ah 2.6 much more like it