Mounting Steering Rack

[Guest Jordster]

Morning All,

 

Finally started stripping the 2.0t pinto last night and much to my surprise it turns out the engine has previously been rebuilt and re bored with upgraded race spec parts so all I'm hearing is more BHP which is music to the ears. Compression is brilliant so hopefully have her started in a couple of weeks.

 

On another note the steering rack is a ford Sierra and I need to get brakets to raise it off the frame and fix into position. Anyone have any suggestions on which ones to use so I can order in?

 

Also anyone know the length of the extensions? I've been on the kit car spares website and emailed them but nothing and no details on thread or length? I need the extensions due to the suspension being swapped from pillar to wishbone.

 

Many thanks in advance.

[Grim]

if the rack is a sierra, the track rods will have been shortened to suit the narrower track of the sliding pillars. You could just replace the track rods with standard items, assuming your new wishbone setup has standard track width.

[Guest Jordster]

The new wishbone has widened the width so will need to get the extensions anyway. I'll get a photo and post for clarity as there's a few mounts online but a bit unsure which is best so looking for ideas for those who have proven results. Thanks

[Grim]

your new front track is wider than the rear?

[Longboarder]

Sierra rack mounts with two long bolts. Had lots of fun getting mine right to eliminate bumpsteer. Need to post some pics of the rack in position, nose cone off, and also of the front suspension taken from in front of the car and with the camera one foot off the ground. This is to show the model and geometry set-up you have. Something like the pics below.

However you will probably have to make up your own rackmounts and spacers to get it in the right position. I was lucky and the front pan extension although flimsy, at least gave a base position. Strength is in the top mount not visible in the pic. Spacers to raise the rack are visible.

 

Nigel

Edited May 26, 2016 by Longboarder

[Guest Jordster]

Thanks Guys - nope think they are about the same but will check. I'll get the lid off this weekend and take a photo as suggested Nigel - many thanks for this.

 

My mechanics may weld a bracket if I can't buy anything however there are holes on the frame ready - I'm fortunate enough to have the GBS factory frame.

 

Will post a picky once done.

 

Thanks again guys!

[Bob Tucker]

I'd be very surprised that you need extensions with a standard Sierra rack.

Most aftermarket conversions either use a standard Sierra rack, with no extensions,

or an Escort rack with extensions.

As Nigel says, post up a few pics for more advice or suggestions

[Guest Jordster]

Morning All,

 

Got a couple of photos of the car with the steering rack. The rack is pretty much in place which shows the gaps to the wheels. It's approximately 70mm short either side.

Any thoughts and also any suggestions on the mounts?

 

[Guest Jordster]

final photo

[Longboarder]

I don't think that's a sierra rack, certainly not not like mine so my advice probably not much use.

 

Nigel

[Guest Jordster]

thanks Nigel - is there any info on the rack that will enable me to find out online? My understanding was everything had come from a donor sierra but I could be wrong.

 

Would a sierra rack fit this set up then in your opinion?

[richyb66]

That looks like a LHD Metro rack so you'll need adaptors each side to make up the 70mm and to join the fine Metro thread to the coarse Sierra track rod end.

 

The U clamp in the drivers side looks OK, you need either another U clamp for the passenger side or a thick plate with 2 holes in it welded to the rack tube. My rack has the plate welded under it but another U clamp would be easier to do.

 

 

Edited May 31, 2016 by richyb66

[Guest 2b cruising]

You are going to need track rod extension tubes to get the right length.

To minimise bump steer, your rack and track rods should be in a level possition with the track rod staying in the same plane as the rack when connected to the uprights. The car should be sat on the ground, fully weighted and the suspention relaxed before you adjust to the correct rack hieght.

To relax the suspention just roll the car forward and backward one complete turn of the road wheel. This also goes before making any final steering or suspention adjustments.

The easiest easiest way to achieve the above is by using slider plates and dishes so your tyres can relax into their natural possition without any stretch or friction stress against the floor.

If it is not practical to fit the wheels it can be done by placing axle stands at the outer most extremes of the wishbones, stub axles or hubs. Once again make sure there is no side to side preload on the steering or suspention before adjusting and always work safely when on stands.

If you study photo one of Longboarders post, number 5, you can see the track rod in the ideal possition horizontal to the ground along with the steering rack in the same plane.

As he states, it is fiddly to get this right but well worth it for good handling on road or track.

I'm sure I've bored you all enough by now so enough said.

[Guest Jordster]

thank you guys so much!!

 

Ok so my options look like either getting extensions or a new / second hand sierra rack. I will have the mechanics have another look and make a decision.

 

Really appreciate your help and advice and will look at the levelling also as don't want bump steer. The mechanics are friends and also welders so they may well weld a suitable bracket to the chassis which we can then fit too.

 

Will keep updated once I have progress.

 

Thanks again,

[Guest 2b cruising]

You will be lucky finding a Sierra rack.

GBS have stopped using.them due to lack of supply.

They might still have extension tubes so worth a call to kitspares, their parts department.