Steering rack, new reproduction good?

[mtnjag]

My steering rack is worn and am considering one of the new reproduction racks. Rack and pinion seem pretty good but bushings are worn with rack movement and tie rods move in and out, haven’t tried to adjust the tie rods.Thinking may be better to go to an aftermarket new one if they are quality units. Leary of Rebuilt units. they run higher dollars and do you know what you get like maybe a worn rack or pinion with new bushings?
Rebuild kits are about $100 for a bearing, bushing, boots.

Welsh has one, SNG has one they show as their brand, Moss has one, Martin Robey has one they write their name over but they label aftermarket, lots of others have new aftermarket racks.

Welsh and Martin Robey have the best price seems like, but will have to pay freight from UK for MR.

So questions are:

-my rack in an original to car rack, so early 62 car, late 61 mfg. Most of these aftermaket racks note they are an 8 tooth pinion providing quicker sterring (and harder steering I imagine) vs the 7 tooth pinion. Don’t know what my original is?

- has anyone used one of these Repro racks and how did it work out?

-what supplier did you use?

-does anyone know are they all from the same aftermarket mfg or is someone like SNG actually making their own?

-Any supplier you would recommend?

Any comments welcome.

Thanks in advance

Layne

[abowie]

We've used new racks on most of the RHD conversions we've done over the last 10 years and had no problems. Like you I assume that they are all made in the same factory. Personally I can't tell the difference between a 7 or 8 tooth rack when driving.

As a general principle, if your rack and pinion are in good condition then replacing the bushing and both bearings should provide a good result.

Where problems occur it's usually because 4 lower teeth on the rack (which do 99% of steering work) get worn. Even then, simply reassembling the rack with the pinion up the other way, so those 4 worn teeth face up away from the rack can make a bad rack good.

If you have wear in the ball and cup of the tie rod arm then this can be very difficult to adjust out, and I've not found a source of replacement arms. We used to strip the old LHD racks and use them for parts. So if a rod end was worn we'd replace it with a good used one from another rack.

[gtjoey]

Well on my current rebuild of my almost daliy driver 67 4.2 coupe.
I used the quick rack from SNG.
Does it feel quicker?
Idont know, been driving etypes for 35 years, its new, it fit perfect and for the money, it was well worth it.
GTJOEY1314

[mtnjag]

Thanks for all the feedback.
With a 100k on the rack and based on bushing and possible tie rod and or tie rod pocket wear i dont think ill tackle the rebuild. Talked to Coventry West and it is apparent he will do whatever is needed to make a worn rack right, not simply bushing, bearings, and seals. But cost of brand new is actually a little less from Welsh who would appear to have the best price on the new rack.
And the new racks get very good reviews and are the same 8 tooth pinion i currently have. Gotta make a decision on which way to go. Keep orig or another orig part stored on shelf with a new on car.
Ill do a quick follow up post when i get this done and report results.
Thanks again,
Layne

[mtnjag]

Quick follow up.

Original Rubber Mounts?

or

Poly mounts?

Road car not a racer. Mountain roads that are often a bit rough so if the Poly is the same durometer fine but I don't want stiff mounts.

Thanks

[bitsobrits]

I went from tired rubber mounts to poly, which felt just fine (until they failed in shear!). Then I went to solid mounts. From my perspective, there was no downside from the progression to a more stiffly mounted rack. Only enhanced road feel.

I think it would be a fun exercise to have individuals drive both standard and solid mount racks back to back in different cars without knowing which is which. My conjecture is that most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference, as these cars are typically run with standard or close to standard tires, which is to say high aspect ratio and very compliant tires.

[mtnjag]

Went for a new rack. Good reviews all around, cheaper than a rebuild, and I keep my orig rack on the shelf for posterity.
Should be in this weekend and I'll give a final follow-up.