Power steering rack recs?

[richtersand]

Hi all, thanks in advance for your recommendations. I hooked up my PS rack last year and the seals immediately blew out... obviously defective. FFR has been great on any defective parts, replacing them immediately. Unfortunately, in this case, supply chain issues are handicapping FFR. They have not received any new racks and after 5 months still don't have any visibility into lead time on shipping... as a result, I am exploring aftermarket options for the rack.

Any recommendations on good PS racks? FFR recommended local auto shop 87-93 racks from local auto parts store. Do you also recommend this, or what are your suggestions?

I am running FFR's KRC PS pump setup.

Thanks again!

Cheers,
Matt

[Ted G]

I'm also very interested in sourcing this part as my kit is about a month away from completion from FFR. I found this at Summit but will need to ensure ratios, lengths etc. are correct.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hli-23147

[klawrence]

been through this a bit with mine as my FF rack blew out at 5 miles.

https://www.cardone.com/product/22-207-rack-and-pinion-assembly - 2.5 turn lock to lock requires the extenders. if you order a 22-203 from AutoZone or Advanced, you are likely to receive this 2.5 turn model.
https://www.cardone.com/product/22-203t-rack-and-pinion-assembly is the 3 turn lock to lock requires the extenders , if you order this one from advance , you may end up getting the 22-207 , I think they just dump them in a big "mustang rack" pile.

I went with this one from NAPA for a 3 turn lock to lock replacement - still requires the extenders.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/PS_361007?impressionRank=1

[nuhale]

I bought this one from rock auto... note that the first one I bought was a remanufactured and blew seal on first start shooting hydro fluid all over the place. This one has been perfect

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=8831292&cc=1134076&pt=7388&jsn=14

[Ted G]

Quick question. I may delete my PS upgrade from FFR since they are so far backordered. Question is, what other parts will I need? Tie rods? Adapter from 26 to 36 spline?

Thanks,

[NiceGuyEddie]

Traditionally, the faster ratio(s) has been recommended if you are hardcore at Autocross, the slower ratio if you like big tracks.

It has also been recommended to have the slower ratio(s) if you still have the larger wooden steering wheel.

[CraigS]

Ted the manual and PS racks have a different spline to the steering column so the U-joints are different. Maybe FFR will let you cancel the rack but still supply the correct u-joint adapter. There are so many different length outer tierods I have lost track. And then of course rack extenders or not comes into play. The good thing is that the threads are all the same so I wouldn't worry about tie rod ends until you have the rack etc in position. I agree w/ NGEddie, I much prefer the 3.0 turns rack. I am an avid autocrosser so I tried the 2.5 rack for a summer. I liked it for AX but hated for the street. I thought I might get used to it but never did so it came out after the last AX that fall.

[nuhale]

The FFR tie rods will work fine. I upgraded to the MOOG ones (don't have part numbers but do a search on the forum). The spline adapter, bump steer adapters and adjuster mounts available at breeze. I may have a spare spline and bump steer adapters. PM me.

[Hoooper]

My daily driver has an 11.8:1 rack which may be why I dont find the 15:1 rack in the roadster at all twichy or too fast even on track at high speeds, if anything I wish it were quicker. I would never consider the 20:1 rack for myself personally, but I can see how a 20:1 rack might be nice for an calm street cruiser experience. Like it seems every other question around here, which rack is best for you depends on how you want to use the car.

[drewr]

Do you really have to cut 1.75” off the inner tie rods like the manual says if you are using a stock mustang power rack? How did you guys make that cut?

[Bill_VA]

Sure, you could save some bucks by buying a OEM product, built for a car that weighs more than 1000 pounds heavier than ours, or you can pay more and get one that is specifically designed for Cobra kit cars. I have one, had it for 10+ years and not a single drip or error.
https://www.agrperformance.com/product/rack-and-pinion-ac-cobra-kit-car-151-sae-agr-steering

[CaptB]

Sure, you could save some bucks by buying a OEM product, built for a car that weighs more than 1000 pounds heavier than ours, or you can pay more and get one that is specifically designed for Cobra kit cars. I have one, had it for 10+ years and not a single drip or error.
https://www.agrperformance.com/product/rack-and-pinion-ac-cobra-kit-car-151-sae-agr-steering

Since the steering rack is the last item FFR has for me on POL (well the gas tank vent rubber grommet also), this is certainly interesting to me. How was the install on this one?

[Bill_VA]

Since the steering rack is the last item FFR has for me on POL (well the gas tank vent rubber grommet also), this is certainly interesting to me. How was the install on this one?

Exactly the same as any other rack. On the outside, it's pretty much the same, but the internals are especially designed for a car weighing only 2400 pounds. The assist is not to heavy and not too light, it's just right.

[richtersand]

Exactly the same as any other rack. On the outside, it's pretty much the same, but the internals are especially designed for a car weighing only 2400 pounds. The assist is not to heavy and not too light, it's just right.

Very cool, thank you for posting. I will check it out.

Being new to power steering installs, and having experience in seal blowout in the rack, I am unsure how to tell if a rack is rated for KRC’s high psi. Is this something I shouldn’t worry about? Or any suggestions from the group on how to tell if the rack will withstand that amount of psi?