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Post by voxman45 on Jan 11, 2020 19:57:05 GMT 1
Anybody know 'pennantz ' ,I've left a message on here for him regarding rack & pinion steering but not sure if he'll pick the message up ,if you know him could you ask him to contact me Tony on 01258 475219 I need to pick his brain ,thanks, Tony alias voxman45
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Post by wolfie on Jan 16, 2020 19:10:37 GMT 1
Tony I have converged my car torack and pinion steering, is there anything I could assist you with.
Sean
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Post by wolfie on Jan 16, 2020 19:10:51 GMT 1
Sorry
Converted
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Post by voxman45 on Jan 17, 2020 9:35:38 GMT 1
Hello mate , yes ,what rack did you use ,I did the job in about '72 with a Spitfire rack but there were a few probs regarding fitments & 'thinking lazy' wondered about an easier route . Thanks, Tony
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Post by wolfie on Jan 18, 2020 0:51:12 GMT 1
I experimented on my car with a rack from a spitfire and found that the overall length of the rack was too long for the car, that the pivots on the rack were in the wrong place and there was no way I could see to correct this, bending the steering arms would not have been sufficient. I gave up before driving the car and purchased an Escort MK1 rack which is much shorter overall and places the pivot points closer to the centre line of the car. Ackerman angles were still far from correct. My car is fitted with GT6 uprights and disks and non modified steering arms. Bump steer was still a big issue and the first drive was far from safe. After much head scratching I overcame the problem quite simply by drilling the tapered holes in the steering arms out, and using rose joints to attach the track rods to the arms from below the arm rather from above. Bump steer now gone.
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Post by misterm on Jan 18, 2020 10:37:09 GMT 1
Thanks for the detailed explanation, Sean.
When you say "non-modified steering arms", do you mean the original Standard 8/10 arms rather than the GT6 ones?
As I said to Tony (Voxman) in a PM, my thoughts when planning my project included changing to a rack. As I used the car almost stock for a good period while I soaked up the information on here and gathered the parts needed, I came to the conclusion that the Standard steering setup was not bad (for a box system) and took changing to rack off the to do list. My own opinion is that an anti-roll bar is more of a benefit than changing to rack steering. Though obviously there are benefits to the rack in that there are less wear points in the whole system than with a box and associated rods.
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Post by wolfie on Jan 19, 2020 16:12:17 GMT 1
Jim
Like you I searched the forum before committing to installing a rack.
I struggled to find any specific detail although it was apparent that quite a few appear to have converted to a rack, it was even more difficult to identify who was happy with the end result and what issues they had encountered along the way. It almost seemed that those who had tried and failed had plenty to say, but those who had succeeded kept the info to themselves as to how they had completed the conversion.
What I did find was a few horror stories about dangerous handling, suspension wishbones and springs clashing with the track rods and quite a few who recommended bending or modifying the steering arms as solutions. I was not prepared to start bending the arms as this did not sound a sensible idea.
The arms I have on my car are the GT6 ones, and when I say I haven’t modified them I mean I have not cut, welded, or bent them in anyway. All things that I found others had suggested or proposed as necessary.
I learnt a lot along the way and now the car is on the road it handles really well, I completed Club Triumphs Ten Countries Run in it last September, ten countries, four days, 14 Alpine passes approx 2500 miles door to door and we had a great time. It will sit on motorways at 70+ mph and is very well planted, I would have no qualms about doing the conversion again, but will admit It was not as simple as I had at first thought.
I have also fitted an ARB as well.
I plan to remove the front subframe assembly soon to upgrade the front springs and fit Koni shocks.
I would be happy to take some photos if you want any.
Cheers Sean
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Post by misterm on Jan 19, 2020 16:40:41 GMT 1
Thanks again Sean.
So you used the GT6 steering arms, did you not get the track rod interfering with the coil spring problem? I assume the 8/10 steering arms bolt to the GT6 uprights as they do to the early Herald/Vitesse ones.
Photos when you get a chance would be great!
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Post by wolfie on Jan 19, 2020 18:00:33 GMT 1
Jim
Yes I did have an issue with the track rod touching the coil spring, but only on one side of the car, ( I can’t recall which side)
The contact was ever so slight but it was there none the less.
I overcame it by moving the rack forward a little where it is mounted inside the subframe crossmember. I now don’t have any clearance issues.
I have kept all the original parts that I have removed from the car so that it could be put back to original should anyone wish to do so. So still have the original 8/10 arms, I didn’t think to fit them. I also have a spare set and will compare them out of curiosity.
Sean
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