7 replies to this topic

[antcole]

Hello folks,
Ill be renewing the steering rack soon and wondered what the difference is between racks for sportspack and non sportspack.
Is it just the amount of turns from lock to lock or is it something else?
The 1990 city im restoring will be fitted with sportspack arches when complete and wondered if this has any relevence to the type of rack with regards rubbing or fouling when in full lock.

Alternatively, is there such a thing as a repair kit for the mini steering rack?
The one i have isnt too bad, just tatty and in need of some stripping and cleaning.

Thanks in advance.

[minimaxie]

Sportspack racks just have a reduced lock to accomodate the later and bigger 13x6 inch wheels so they didnt scrub on the sportspack arches. Far as I can tell you thats the only difference, I can't answer your second question though apologies but if they're not in too bad nick then a strip down and clean up can't hurt :)

Max

Edited by minimaxie, 22 November 2012 - 07:44 AM.

[Barman]

Hello folks,
Ill be renewing the steering rack soon and wondered what the difference is between racks for sportspack and non sportspack.
Is it just the amount of turns from lock to lock or is it something else?
The 1990 city im restoring will be fitted with sportspack arches when complete and wondered if this has any relevence to the type of rack with regards rubbing or fouling when in full lock.

Alternatively, is there such a thing as a repair kit for the mini steering rack?
The one i have isnt too bad, just tatty and in need of some stripping and cleaning.

Thanks in advance.

I can't answer the first question!

But the innards are no longer available - you can either buy a reconditioned rack or just clean it up if it is okay.

I took the gaiters off mine, gave everything a good clean and re-grease, new gaiters, track rod ends and pint job - looks like new!

[antcole]

Thanks Minimaxie,
Ill be running 12" deep dish super lights with a tyre profile of 60, so would you say they would be ok?
Its got new rubber cones so the suspension is back to original height etc.

Id assume the full lock turning circle is the same for both types of rack?

[minimaxie]

No worries :)

Well generally, if you have anything wider than 5inch, it will usually require some minor trimming around the arch line on the body. There's templates floating around on here on how much to cut off, but I don't know where they're under. If you have a Sportspack rack it could reduce the scrubbing. But as you say if you have new suspension parts and cones then that will help too.

I'm not too sure on that one pal, will need to ask the pros on here, sorry I can't be anymore help

Edited by minimaxie, 22 November 2012 - 08:46 AM.

[Big_Adam]

I just fixed my rack. Its a pain, but it went okay.

I do own a lathe, which helped. I just made a new bushing from nylon and went "yeah, that will work". There is exactly 1 bushing in the whole rack, rest is sprung metal to metal holding.

[Dan]

No the turning circle isn't the same, that's the whole point of the rack. It's not a quickrack, the gear ratio of it is exactly the same as standard and turning the steering wheel a given amount will turn the wheels the same amount as a standard rack. It has reduced lock, so a larger turning circle, to stop the wheels hitting the arches at the extremes of the rack travel as said above. KAD make limiters that can be fitted to a standard rack to do the same thing.

All later standard steering racks are designed as non-serviceable.

[antcole]

Cheers for the replies, as i have zero idea if the wheels i have will rub on the sportspack arches i guess ill just have to wait and see.

Break out a new wire brush and some smoothrite silver plus some gaitors for the existing rack, should do the trick.