Switching to LHD : Steering rack spec ?

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AllanKicker

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posted on 6/9/18 at 09:51 PM

Switching to LHD : Steering rack spec ?

Hi everybody,

I investigated how i could switch a Mac#1 Seven from RHD to LHD but i can't find any clue about which steering rack to use.
Does a Ford Sierra steering rack can fit ? I would like it to be quick so it's maybe not a good idea.

Thanks for your backup !

Allan

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posted on 7/9/18 at 06:51 AM

quote:
Originally posted by AllanKicker
Hi everybody,

I investigated how i could switch a Mac#1 Seven from RHD to LHD but i can't find any clue about which steering rack to use.
Does a Ford Sierra steering rack can fit ? I would like it to be quick so it's maybe not a good idea.

Thanks for your backup !

Allan

Which rack does a Mac1 use as standard? Whatever it is then a LHD version of that would be the obvious /easiest option.

AllanKicker

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posted on 7/9/18 at 07:13 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Nickp

Which rack does a Mac1 use as standard? Whatever it is then a LHD version of that would be the obvious /easiest option.

Hey,
Thanks for your reply. I didn't mentioned that i have no idea which rack is used currently.
I tried to contact Mac here : enquiries@mac1motorsports.co.uk but this adress is disabled and i found on this forum that there is no more support from Mac

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posted on 7/9/18 at 07:33 AM

Should be possible to work it out. You might find the new owners of the MK indy can help (I think they are simular to the Mac1??).

Dan

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posted on 7/9/18 at 07:35 AM

A quick search on here suggests it is a Sierra rack - http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=191520

nick205

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posted on 7/9/18 at 07:41 AM

Did you build the car?

If so, what donor car did you use: Sierra, MX5 etc?

Can you post some photos of the existing RHD steering rack on here?

People will be able to identify what it's from pretty quick.

As above once you know what car it's from sourcing a LHD steering rack from the same type of car would seem the obvious (quickest) way to do what you want.

AllanKicker

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posted on 7/9/18 at 07:59 AM

Thanks for your replies dudes.
Really nice to get support so fast !

Like @Nickp pointed out, everybody seems to use a shortened sierra rack.
I'm not sure to understand what "shortened" mean, i imagine it's about removing the power steering system and re-calibrating the stoppers to decrease steering diameter ?

@nick205 : I didn't build it but i know it's a sierra build. I will post some pics later, i can't do that now.

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posted on 7/9/18 at 08:06 AM

From what I recall it's a Sierra rack. There are plenty of lhd Sierra racks in France you can get imported.

As suggested above get a pic of the rack first to check as they may have used the escort rack with rack ends.

Good luck.

Thanks

David Johnson

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posted on 7/9/18 at 08:50 AM

quote:
Originally posted by AllanKicker
Thanks for your replies dudes.
Really nice to get support so fast !

Like @Nickp pointed out, everybody seems to use a shortened sierra rack.
I'm not sure to understand what "shortened" mean, i imagine it's about removing the power steering system and re-calibrating the stoppers to decrease steering diameter ?

@nick205 : I didn't build it but i know it's a sierra build. I will post some pics later, i can't do that now.

The "shortened" part means cutting a section out of the steering rack casing and internal rack itself to make the steering rack narrower. This is done to reduce bump-steer. IIRC it's usually done on a lathe to ensure the end result is staright and true.

This photo shows the MK narrowed Sierra steering rack I used on my MK Indy - cut in the middle and then sleaved back together.

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posted on 7/9/18 at 10:21 AM

Here is my rack :

From the informations i get from the last owner, the internal rack (and the pinion so ?) have been replaced to get a quicker steering. I have no idea how he did it, i'll ask him and get you informed.

I will look at a Sierra LHD rack aniway, so my RHD rack will be available for sale in some time if it can interest someone (the car is in France).

@nick205 : Just a question : Wasn't the stock sierra rack too slow in the corners ?

[Edited on 7/9/18 by AllanKicker]

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posted on 7/9/18 at 10:36 AM

The rack in your photo looks to be a Sierra rack to me.

Some fit quick racks to speed up the steering, some don't. The standard rack was fine for me for road use. On a track I may have wanted a quick rack, but I never went there so the standard rack did me fine.

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posted on 7/9/18 at 11:07 AM

Looks like you need one of these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New-LHD-Ford-Sierra-Manual-Steering-Rack-LEFT-HAND-DRIVE/261994623412?hash=item3d0018b1b4:g:2dIAAOSwLa9UYd~B

And then get it cut and sleeved to fit.

If you want a quick rack Quaife do one but that will also need to be cut to fit.

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posted on 7/9/18 at 11:17 AM

quote:
Originally posted by peter030371
Looks like you need one of these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New-LHD-Ford-Sierra-Manual-Steering-Rack-LEFT-HAND-DRIVE/261994623412?hash=item3d0018b1b4:g:2dIAAOSwLa9UYd~B

And then get it cut and sleeved to fit.

If you want a quick rack Quaife do one but that will also need to be cut to fit.

That one looks made of Aluminium and steel, where his (an mine) existing ones are Aluminium bodied. I mention it, because the Aluminium only bodied racks may be more suited to modifying than the Aluminium/steel bodied racks.

Not done the modification myself though so if you have the tools and skills it may not be an issue.

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posted on 7/9/18 at 11:27 AM

quote:
Originally posted by nick205

That one looks made of Aluminium and steel, where his (an mine) existing ones are Aluminium bodied. I mention it, because the Aluminium only bodied racks may be more suited to modifying than the Aluminium/steel bodied racks.

Not done the modification myself though so if you have the tools and skills it may not be an issue.

I could cut and shut a steel rack in my garage, as I suspect many others on here could do, but not got the tools to sleeve and weld aluminium so I suspect steel might be easier in this case

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posted on 7/9/18 at 11:57 AM

quote:
Originally posted by peter030371

quote:
Originally posted by nick205

That one looks made of Aluminium and steel, where his (an mine) existing ones are Aluminium bodied. I mention it, because the Aluminium only bodied racks may be more suited to modifying than the Aluminium/steel bodied racks.

Not done the modification myself though so if you have the tools and skills it may not be an issue.

I could cut and shut a steel rack in my garage, as I suspect many others on here could do, but not got the tools to sleeve and weld aluminium so I suspect steel might be easier in this case

Fair point!

IIRC my MK modified steering rack wasn't welded together. Appeared to have been pressed back together with the sleave.

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posted on 8/9/18 at 09:53 AM

quote:
Originally posted by AllanKicker
Here is my rack :

From the informations i get from the last owner, the internal rack (and the pinion so ?) have been replaced to get a quicker steering. I have no idea how he did it, i'll ask him and get you informed.

I will look at a Sierra LHD rack aniway, so my RHD rack will be available for sale in some time if it can interest someone (the car is in France).

@nick205 : Just a question : Wasn't the stock sierra rack too slow in the corners ?

[Edited on 7/9/18 by AllanKicker]

Hi,

You say the car in in France but what about you, where are you? And where in France ?

As said above, you can easily find a Sierra LHD steering rack here in France. For example:

https://www.leboncoin.fr/equipement_auto/1069463073.htm/

Or a new one:

https://www.leboncoin.fr/equipement_auto/1155179731.htm/

Hope that will help

https://vouchtroadster.blogspot.com/
https://cafrazx550.blogspot.com/

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posted on 8/9/18 at 02:25 PM

Hey,

I'm in France too (Lyon), but like i said i would have a preference for a quick rack

.
But, now i know a Sierra can fit, i have multiple solutions :
- a standard Sierra rack that i will have to make shortened.
- a escort one from MK parts site, here : http://www.mksportscars.com/ford-escort-mk2-steering-rack-quick-rack.html?SID=dvq6jmt5k2j39h5rm8jkl8jde3 />
The escort on will needs to be tinkered in order to fit Mac fixation holes.

Aniway thanks you, this forum sounds to be a mine of informations.

[Edited on 8/9/18 by AllanKicker]

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posted on 9/9/18 at 11:29 AM

quote:
Originally posted by AllanKicker

- a escort one from MK parts site, here : http://www.mksportscars.com/ford-escort-mk2-steering-rack-quick-rack.html?SID=dvq6jmt5k2j39h5rm8jkl8jde3 />
[Edited on 8/9/18 by AllanKicker]

They seem cheaper at Rally Design:
https://www.rallydesign.co.uk/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=steering&x=0&y=0&osCsid=aga5t48s qhp38mnb1qqq81t3s4

Is your car already registered in France, or do you plan to do it?

Mine has been built and registered in Sweden, but to register it in France, I have to pass more tests and they are very expensive (2000 € for the tests only!), and the only place you can take the tests is Paris, so you have to add the cost for the trip, trailer, accommodation, place for the car, etc.

For now, I have given up the idea of register the car in France. A shame, as it has been sitting in the garage and hasn't moved for almost a year

https://vouchtroadster.blogspot.com/
https://cafrazx550.blogspot.com/

AllanKicker

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posted on 9/9/18 at 01:58 PM

My car is unfortunately not registered and i do not plan to make it registered, so it's track use only.

It's too hard to get it registered in France, this country is sad for this, legislator is killing all kind of passions.

For a Mac i think it's just impossible to get it registered, even if u're a professional.

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