1st gen steering
#2
Lives on the Forum
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There used to be a rack and pinion setup available from Cp racing. They had crappy service and I believe finally went out of business.
I believe someone may be working on a replacement for this.
You might use the search function at the top of the page and use the key words Rack and pinion. I thought I saw something less than a month ago.
And by the way, Welcome to the forum. :-)
I believe someone may be working on a replacement for this.
You might use the search function at the top of the page and use the key words Rack and pinion. I thought I saw something less than a month ago.
And by the way, Welcome to the forum. :-)
#3
rack and pinion
Well, from the search (thanks for the tip RX7doctor) it sounds like people have tried, maybe succeeded, maybe not.
I'm going to buy a second gen rack and see what I can come up with. I don't see why you couldn't design a set of brackets that bolt to the holes for the box and idler arm.
It seems the key items would be getting the rack in line with the steering arms, getting it the correct length and the amount of travel right and left, making sure it was adjustable vertically for bump steer adjustments and connecting it to the steering column.
Doesn't sound that difficult in theory.
I'm going to buy a second gen rack and see what I can come up with. I don't see why you couldn't design a set of brackets that bolt to the holes for the box and idler arm.
It seems the key items would be getting the rack in line with the steering arms, getting it the correct length and the amount of travel right and left, making sure it was adjustable vertically for bump steer adjustments and connecting it to the steering column.
Doesn't sound that difficult in theory.
#5
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Originally Posted by Frankenmazda
Well, from the search (thanks for the tip RX7doctor) it sounds like people have tried, maybe succeeded, maybe not.
I'm going to buy a second gen rack and see what I can come up with. I don't see why you couldn't design a set of brackets that bolt to the holes for the box and idler arm.
It seems the key items would be getting the rack in line with the steering arms, getting it the correct length and the amount of travel right and left, making sure it was adjustable vertically for bump steer adjustments and connecting it to the steering column.
Doesn't sound that difficult in theory.
I'm going to buy a second gen rack and see what I can come up with. I don't see why you couldn't design a set of brackets that bolt to the holes for the box and idler arm.
It seems the key items would be getting the rack in line with the steering arms, getting it the correct length and the amount of travel right and left, making sure it was adjustable vertically for bump steer adjustments and connecting it to the steering column.
Doesn't sound that difficult in theory.
I am looking into having a new shaft machined with reverse worm drive so the 2nd gen rack will work in rear steer. $$$$
Lot's of work no matter how you do it.
My Rack&Pinion is out of a 84 Rabbit and took about 10 hrs of fabbing to install.
Not for the faint of heart, you need skillz.
#7
84 rabbit rack
Thanks, that will save me some time. Are you happy with the setup? Seems it would be a vast improvement.
My problem with the 1st gen steering isn't totally about the recirculating ball type which sounds like a bear to keep tight on these cars but more the ratio. The stock box has a pretty tall ratio where most racks are much quicker. I plan on autocrossing this car when it's finished and I think that would help alot.
Off to the drawing board.
Thanks for the answers!
My problem with the 1st gen steering isn't totally about the recirculating ball type which sounds like a bear to keep tight on these cars but more the ratio. The stock box has a pretty tall ratio where most racks are much quicker. I plan on autocrossing this car when it's finished and I think that would help alot.
Off to the drawing board.
Thanks for the answers!
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#9
82, 83, 88, 82 RX-7again!
Have you adjusted your steering = while it is not like a rack and pinion, you should be able to adjust it such that there is very little free play (mine has none, have had 3 of the 1st gens and all were able to be adjusted to near 0 slop).
Scott
Scott
#10
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Originally Posted by Slammed_GSL
The Rabbit is way slower so stay away, I don't know exactly what I'm going to do at this time. Will keep the forum posted as it happens.
you should do a right up on the rack conversion. i have three rabbits at my parents farm and I was thinking about fabing up the rack on my gls-se. was the work worth it? what took the most time? not to thread jack...also you could use a rabbit GTI rack because its ratio is higher
#12
steering
I found a possible candidate at Summit Racing. They universal rack units. 4 turns lock to lock. Brand new for a couple hundred bucks.
I'm going to work on this over the weekend. I'll lay it out on my CAD system and see what i can come up with.
I'll keep you guys posted!
I'm going to work on this over the weekend. I'll lay it out on my CAD system and see what i can come up with.
I'll keep you guys posted!
#13
Slave to the Rotor!
iTrader: (8)
you can use a pinto rack.. they are rear steer, however it will have to be narrowed. also you can find them in a quickratio 15:1 if i remember correctly. There's alos a company called flamming river that wiill build you a rack in your specified deminsions.. not cheap but definately quality. Also all the other guys are correct about Billy from Respeed coming out with a kit, and you can gaurantee it'll be top notch.... but you gota be patient for it as he still hasn't finalized all the testing...
#14
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how hard would it be really to use a rabbit rack? I haven't looked too close at the rx7's steering, but from what I understand the steering shaft is a two part affair. I would think that you could make a new lower shaft with like a universal joint. Then just make mounts on the crossmember to mount the stock rabbit's rack mounts. seems easy... I'm a farm kid so I'm pretty good at riggin stuff up that isnt made to work together
#15
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
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We are in development and testing phases. You will see it hit the market in a month. There will be 3 different ratios to choose from. A power steering option as well. It will be 99% bolt in and will include everything needed as well as the rack if the customer wishes.
Things we found about the 2nd gen rack along the way:
2ng gen rack is too wide and too costly to be a viable, cost effective alternative. May work out for a home project. Packaging issues will not allow you to put the rack in the proper place in relation to the lower control arm pivot point. Replacement racks are too expensive (approx $325) from a rebuilder or auto parts supplier.
-billy
Things we found about the 2nd gen rack along the way:
2ng gen rack is too wide and too costly to be a viable, cost effective alternative. May work out for a home project. Packaging issues will not allow you to put the rack in the proper place in relation to the lower control arm pivot point. Replacement racks are too expensive (approx $325) from a rebuilder or auto parts supplier.
-billy
#17
#garageguybuild
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Originally Posted by bwaits
We are in development and testing phases. You will see it hit the market in a month. There will be 3 different ratios to choose from. A power steering option as well. It will be 99% bolt in and will include everything needed as well as the rack if the customer wishes.
-billy
-billy
^That is so sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!^
#18
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Originally Posted by bwaits
We are in development and testing phases. You will see it hit the market in a month. There will be 3 different ratios to choose from. A power steering option as well. It will be 99% bolt in and will include everything needed as well as the rack if the customer wishes.
Things we found about the 2nd gen rack along the way:
2ng gen rack is too wide and too costly to be a viable, cost effective alternative. May work out for a home project. Packaging issues will not allow you to put the rack in the proper place in relation to the lower control arm pivot point. Replacement racks are too expensive (approx $325) from a rebuilder or auto parts supplier.
-billy
Things we found about the 2nd gen rack along the way:
2ng gen rack is too wide and too costly to be a viable, cost effective alternative. May work out for a home project. Packaging issues will not allow you to put the rack in the proper place in relation to the lower control arm pivot point. Replacement racks are too expensive (approx $325) from a rebuilder or auto parts supplier.
-billy
I will watch your site for updates.
Keep up the good work.
Adam
#19
Man I can't wait. The power steering option will definately be on my list. Do you have a final or approx. price for the kit yet? Would like to put money to the side early.
#20
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
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Originally Posted by josh...just josh
so are these kits made to work with a rabbit rack?
Originally Posted by AdamAnt
I look forward to seeing it
Originally Posted by Druken
Do you have a final or approx. price for the kit yet?
Also, keep an eye out for: Big brake for 4 lug patterns including 110MM for Rx2, Rx3 and 79-83 Rx7, properly designed stiffer engine mounts, competition tubular sway bar for 79-85, Watts update for street and strut braces for 79-85.
-billy
#22
1972 Rx2/1988 Rx7 TurboII
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best steering option is to get a power steering rack and rip off the power steering. Best thing I've ever done. Great response, no looseness and lets you feel the road.