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Guidance On Changing Steering Rack - 2B


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Hi, I bought an old 2b with sliding pillar partially built - 2 years ago. Lots and lots done, basically rebuilding the entire car, bit of an engineering project!! and we have just completed a GBS wishbone suspension rebuild on the front and replaced the damn awful pillar suspension! The car currently has a mg metro steering rack on that we have removed. I want to go to a ford rack to match the sierra track rod ends and extenders we now have. Would a mk2 escort match or what have other members fitted? Any help would be appreciated

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Mk.II rack is what's fitted to the Ford-based Zeros. There are differing types (long/short pinion) but that doesn't really matter for yourself. You will almost certain need to modify the arms in length anyway, so you'll be stripping it down a little to remove the steering arms anyway. The racks are plentiful and easy enough to come by cheaply... in a variety of ratios too.

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No guide that I'm aware of, but a 2B owner might know more. What you've done is obviously a little special in that it's a conversion from sliding pillar, but it's not the first, that I'm sure of - I would have thought GBS could advise, if they have provided the conversion kit. What rack do they suggest to use with it? Not being a 2B owner myself I'm less au fait with this particular conversion you've done.

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You may be aware of this so sorry if you already know but what you need is a rack that has the specific length that the arms pivot on the same pivot line as the wishbones.

 

this image from hotrod.com shows the principle https://st.hotrod.com/uploads/sites/21/2009/10/ctrp_1001_02_z-bump_steer_explained-zero_bumpsteer.jpg

 

If the rack is too long or too short, as the suspension moves up the wheel is pulled in or out causing the car 'bump steer'.

 

If you look on the image above you'll see the 'inner mount plane' line. If you can work this out on your car, perhaps a line of string both sides, you shoud be able to measure the length you'll need at the height the rack sits. Then you'll just need to find one that is as close as you can get.

 

hth

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Thanks Zed and Brumster - Zed I was aware of the bump steer and one of the main reasons for asking the question. I know that all the 2b can be engineered differently. GBS inferred the same as they have stated a number of different racks could be on the car or be used on the car. They dont specify a rack to use. I think I need to measure and plan the right rack from the diagram above and see what is available with my measurements but this is a good starting point. :)

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again you probably already know but if you go for a power assisted rack they tend to be quicker lock to lock than non-pas ones. Will be heavier to park but these cars are pretty light so not too much of an issue. Should give you more of a choice as i would think non-pas racks are getting rarer these days

 

Others will know more but i'm sure i've read you just have to connect the in and out pipes together so the pas fluid can move around, as you obviously won't have the pump to connect to.

 

hth

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