Power Steering Rack installation question

[txboiler]

I finally received the power steering rack from FFR and was trying to install it last evening. I am using the Breeze offset rack mounting kit and replaced the FFR provide bushing with the Breeze parts (as with the other breeze parts these are of top quality). I am attempting to install the DS bolt first with the PS angled up and then I will lower the passenger side in place. The issue I am running in to is that fluid line on the rack hit the "x" cross brace and wont allow the rack to shift to the passenger side enough to install the bolt. Compounding this is is the fact that the rubber boot is hard against the vertical square tube preventing the rack from going further back and fitting between the front and rear mounts.

146621

A couple options I was thinking was to 1) temporarily remove the clamp and boot or 2) grinding some metal off the front DS bracket to allow the rack to slide down and then back.

Have other run into this, how did you work around it? Thanks.

[egchewy79]

have you tried putting the PS bolt in first and then moving the DS in place? the boot can always be removed which may give you more clearance.

[rich grsc]

Well if you lift the passenger side of the rack up, then the lines look like they will have plenty of room. I had no issue, put that was many years ago

[Ducky2009]

Install the universal mount on the steering shaft INSIDE the footbox instead of in the engine compartment (as the instructions say). This way you can mount the steering rack, then add the steering linkage afterwards. If you even have to remove the steering rack in the future, you'll be glad you did it this way.

[BrewCityCobra]

I just received and installed my power steering rack as well. I found it a lot easier if you inserted the driver side first, then lowered the passenger side into place. No issues with interference (although, admittedly, I don't have the Breeze offset but the offset isn't all that large).

It takes a little jiggling to get the driver side to fall in place, but once it is in position there should be plenty of clearance.

[txboiler]

I just received and installed my power steering rack as well. I found it a lot easier if you inserted the driver side first, then lowered the passenger side into place. No issues with interference (although, admittedly, I don't have the Breeze offset but the offset isn't all that large).

It takes a little jiggling to get the driver side to fall in place, but once it is in position there should be plenty of clearance.

Thanks for feedback. I will try again this evening. I jiggled a bit but it is sitting approximately 0.1 forward (based on the DS boss of the power rack is hard against the vertical square tub and overlaps the forward DS bracket). I resisted the urge to "aggressively" jiggle or apply other means of "persuasion" to fit the part.

Can you take a measurement of the gap between the forward and rear brackets?

[BrewCityCobra]

Thanks for feedback. I will try again this evening. I jiggled a bit but it is sitting approximately 0.1 forward (based on the DS boss of the power rack is hard against the vertical square tub and overlaps the forward DS bracket). I resisted the urge to "aggressively" jiggle or apply other means of "persuasion" to fit the part.

Can you take a measurement of the gap between the forward and rear brackets?

No problem. I can take one tonight and will post.

[nucjd19]

I have the breeze mounts and installed my power steering rack this past weekend. It took some jiggling and fiddling but I got it in so it does fit.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=146654&d=1619049705

[BrewCityCobra]

About 2.5 inches inside surface to inside surface. That, of course, is with me having torqued down the bolts so it may have been a smudge wider before I clamped it down.

[txboiler]

About 2.5 inches inside surface to inside surface. That, of course, is with me having torqued down the bolts so it may have been a smudge wider before I clamped it down.

Thanks!! That is what I have. I will try again this afternoon.

[txboiler]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I have have got the rack into position. It has required the use of my new “go to tool” (behind the rubber mallet called “persuasion”)... the “6 inch all thread, washer and nut tool spreader tool” :cool:(ok I am open to name suggestions but in all honesty I learned about this tool on this forum. So thanks to all those who have posted about it

I had to open up the spacing on the DS brackets. Once that was accomplished the power steering rack went right into place.

[CraigS]

... the “6 inch all thread, washer and nut tool spreader tool” .
That is the greatest tool isn't it?

[nucjd19]

That is the greatest tool isn't it?

No question. The best idea I have gotten from this site.

[austingoblue]

Can I ask what is the reason to use the Breeze offset mount stuff??

I have no idea so I'm very curious.

[txboiler]

It allows you to adjust the rack left to right and center it in the car. I had to shift mine approximately 3/16” towards the DS. As I understand it this mitigates bump steer. When I took the build school at mott community college, they recommended this as “if you do one Mod....do this one”

[Rdone585]

The offset bushings also let you raise or lower the steering rack slightly to adjust bump steer. Bump steer is a change in toe as the front suspension moves up and down.

[kmseddon]

Hi Nucjd19 - I just got my power steering rack this week as well. It must have come from the same batch as yours as mine even has the same white chip in the paint in that lower center port as yours. I am a first time installer and I was not planning on using the Breeze offset mounting kit (https://www.breezeautomotive.com/shop/offset-rack-mounting-kit-for-ffr-roadster-and-coupe/) but all this talk is making me change my mind. I have a more basic question. The rack as delivered seems to have some bushings and sleeves in it. The sleeves in parts bag 15345 don't fit in the holes and the bushings in bag 16482 don't fit either. What did you do to your power steering rack as delivered to make it work? Thanks much!! Ken

[nucjd19]

Hey Ken. I punched out the bushings and sleeves and then inserted the breeze offset aluminum bushings. I did not use what came with the FFR kit so I can't comment on fitting those parts but I would reach out to FFR. I am sure they will steer you in the right direction if you don't go with the Breeze hardware. Then I did the spreader hokey pokey to open up the driver side tab just a smidge and it dropped in. With that being said. The hardest part has been lining everything up and then getting a rough alignment with the toe in ( had to use the old school string method). Also as an aside the dimension in the manual ( center Tie rod to center tie rod of 53 and 1/16) that is recommended made both of front wheels toe out equally. Not sure if there is a variance from the manual rack and the power steering. So once I pulled in the toe I realized my rack was offset towards the passenger side about ½". This is where the Breeze bushings came into play. I was able to adjust toward the driver side to correct the offset. Now it equal lock to lock with the center of the rack centered with the steering wheel. I have installed the bump stop clips which stops the rack about ½ " before the wheel makes contact with the F panel. Hope this helps.

[txboiler]

I have installed the bump stop clips which stops the rack about ½ " before the wheel makes contact with the F panel. Hope this helps

Nucjd19. What are the bump stop clips you reference. Are they part of the breeze or FFR kit?

[nucjd19]

Nucjd19. What are the bump stop clips you reference. Are they part of the breeze or FFR kit?

Here ya go tx......https://www.breezeautomotive.com/shop/steering-rack-travel-limit-spacer/

[jrcuz]

I think Nucjd19 may be talking about rack limiters.
JR

[nucjd19]

I think Nucjd19 may be talking about rack limiters.
JR

Exactly. Sorry about my terminology. I was juggling a couple of things when I wrote the post.

[weendoggy]

That is the greatest tool isn't it?

I call it a Porta Power. :)

[mtdr]

I am looking for replacement inner power steering boot clamps. Does anyone have a P/N and vendor?

[JohnK]

I just used large zip ties. If someone has a P/N for a replacement metal band I'd also like to know.

[Norm B]

If you feel you really need a metal band then get metal zip ties. Either from your local auto supply or Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=metal+zip+ties&crid=1LPNV932ICPRQ&sprefix=Metal+z%2Caps%2C237&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_7

HTH

Norm

[JohnK]

It's not so much about metal vs. plastic zip-tie as it is about being able to properly tighten down a real Oetiker clamp-style band more securely than you can a zip tie (metal or plastic).

[dbo_texas]

Great thread - I just purchased a partially started MK4 build that already has the power steering rack installed using the FFR bushings. I went ahead and bought the offset bushing kit and travel limiters. Hoping to install it this weekend if the parts come in, so this thread was a good find!

[edwardb]

It's not so much about metal vs. plastic zip-tie as it is about being able to properly tighten down a real Oetiker clamp-style band more securely than you can a zip tie (metal or plastic).

True. If you can find those kinds of clamps that work, go for it. But also keep in mind the PS boot is nothing like the boots on the CV axles. They don't spin, there isn't the volume of grease packed in there, and they're actually under relatively low stress. They exist to keep dust and dirt out of the joint. They're not completely sealed as anyone who has a leaker can tell you. I've found the metal zip ties a little fiddly to install and get tight. Maybe it's just me. Heavy duty plastic zip ties actually work quite well and are easy to install and get sufficiently tight IMO.

[JohnK]

Thanks - that's good to hear. Heavy plastic zip ties are what I have on there now. Wasn't really planning to change them unless they present a problem down the road, but sounds like they should work out OK. FWIW - I did tighten them down with a proper zip tie tool like this one (https://www.amazon.com/Fastening-Cutting-Handle-Special-Fasten/dp/B07G5X7DMC/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=zip+tie+tool&qid=1630521210&sr=8-5), vs. just trying to get them as tight as I could by hand.