I've had the CP kit since it came out but I still haven't installed it yet. My steering isn't bad at all and I'm not convinced that the kit would be an improvement considering some of the feedback that's been posted on this forum.

The most concerning complaints (to me) that I've read about the kit are centered on the VW rack having a slow ratio and a larger turning radius. Has anyone tried to find a different rack that fits in the CP Racing bracket? It seems like these two complaints could be wiped out if there was a rack that fit from a rear drive car. How about an old 911? They've got very quick ratio steering.

 

I could be wrong,but I think the rack is permanenetly fixed to the brace,or something is welded or changed so that the rack isnt removable.I was thinking similarly when I installed mine.I wanted to possibly switch to power assist,but in the end,Im happy with the outcome.The ratio isnt bad,most turns just take a quick whip of the wheel,1/2 turn or less.
The turning radius is a bit wider.I live on a slightly wider main residential street and I can make a full U turn if I start out right at the curb.I usually chicken out and 3 point it anyways since Im widebody and I dont want to **** my airdam or fenders.Id say Im 95% happy with the conversion.The only quirks are the feel isnt as fluid as the old box,and the steel roll pin deletes the collapsable safety function of the column.

 

Is the CP racing rack and pinion setup not hydraulic? Manual rack and pinion? Does anybody know of a power rack and pinion conversion that isn't a bitch to install (meaning it actually lines up like it's suppost to)?

 

The rack they give you doesn't line up like it's supposed to

 

Delete the roll pin and add a Thick cotter pin the forces in a collision are enough to shear it off.

 

Having now officially driven a car with the C&P in it, I would eliminate the steering shaft they give you, raid the street rod catalogs, and build something with three or four U-joints in it, to eliminate the binding caused by their "two U-joints is enough to change direction 90 degrees" setup.

That and/or see about rotating the rack so that there isn't such an extreme angular difference between the steering column and the rack's input shaft.

I remember the steering feeling kind of odd, yet familiar... and now I remember where I'd felt steering like that before. Felt like a Fox-body Mustang. I would bet that the steering geometry has negative Ackerman - the inside wheel toes in instead of toeing out. Negative Ackerman is why Fox-bodies have such weird steering, and there's a lot in the aftermarket to combat this. You get more Ackerman (more positive/less negative) by moving the rack rearwards in the chassis... which makes the steering shaft problem more difficult. I didn't think to look but I'd bet that the rack is positioned forwards of the outer tie rod pivots, which would cause a poor Ackerman situation.

 

I know what you guys are talking about with regards to the Ujoints.It is a big change in direction and there was some binding at first.I released all the pinch bolts shortly after installing the rack to relieve some of the binding,then tightened it all back down.That was 7-8 months ago and the binding/clunking is gone now.Its still not as "slick" feeling as the stock box,but it is precise and theres no play which is more than a fair tradeoff.Steering imput is immediate and theres good feedback,although driving my friends prepped Miata makes it feel like a truck by comparison!
Interesting thoughts about the toe issue,Peejay.Ill have to scoot under there and check it out.I can say that Ive yet to experience any bumpsteer with this setup.

 

Quick racks are easilly available for LHD golfs in Europe ... exactly how quick do you want your steering 2.9 turns lock - lock do ya ?

http://www.quaife.co.uk/catalogue/page34.htm