Steering Rack Tech Update

[yahrt]

Hi all, I received a part from FFR as a tech update intended to address a potential issue with the passenger side mount for the FFR supplied steering rack. Attached is a picture of the part and installation location. I am a bit unsure if this is intended as a safety measure in the event that the mount fails or if it is intended as an alternative, permanent solution in the event that the mount fails. In other words if the mount were to fail, should the rack be replaced even if this part were installed?200973200973200974200974

[gbranham]

I installed mine this weekend. It was a 5 minute job. It's there to keep the rack in place if the passenger side mount fails. If it does fail, I'm going to replace the rack. Would you want to replace the rack if one of it's two mounting bosses cracked? I sure would.

Greg

[yahrt]

thanks, probably a pretty stupid question.

[KayzDad]

I installed mine yesterday. +1 on it being a 5 minute job.

[topherchrisb]

I received it but have not installed it yet as it's a pretty tight fit for me. It's been added to my queue of parts for powder coating before I get it in there as I don't want to try to get it out once it's in there. I'm pretty sure it's only meant to be a backup in case of failure. It probably depends on how in tune with the car you are and how hard you drive it whether or not you'd notice if the mount has failed with this in place assuming the drivers side mount is structural enough to take the extra lateral load. Probably should add checking for the failure to your regular maintenance inspection tasks for a little while at least?

[gbranham]

One suggestion to the installation...I noticed the hard line on the rack rubs the top of this new part, so I added a 1 inch length of rubber hose to the hard line, and zip-tied it in place. I did gently bend the hard line a smidge to clearance it, but suspect gravity will eventually force it in contact with the added hoop.

Greg

[Traveller]

Does this apply to only a certain batch of steering racks, or all? Power or manual? Did you have to request it or did it just show up? First I've heard about a tech update.

[yahrt]

It just showed up, the provided bulletin states that it applies to the power steering racks used since 2017.

[Traveller]

It just showed up, the provided bulletin states that it applies to the power steering racks used since 2017.

Thanks. Looks like I should be receiving a part soon...

[cv2065]

Got mine too but haven't installed it yet.

[topherchrisb]

I believe in the documentation that comes with the part they Dave mentions they are going to include it in all roadster and 65 coupe kits going forward as well.

[CraigS]

Anyone ever heard of a rack breaking? I have not.

[gbranham]

Anyone ever heard of a rack breaking? I have not.


I think the tech update documentation stated that there has been a couple of incidents where the passenger side mounting boss on the rack has cracked.

[Ray from Long Island]

Hi Guys,
I was one of the customers that received a broken passenger side mount. To me it looked like a bad weld. When I notified Factory Five about this they did their usual outstanding job of getting back to me and supplying a replacement unit, an apology and writing that they would be having their engineers take a look. I received a replacement a few days later. I "gently" hit the new mount with a mini sledge, no issues. Then received the new bracket a day or so later. I think their fix was a very, very well thought out one. Issues happen in all types of manufacturing, it is what happens next that is a true measure of who you are dealing with. Factory Five has always done the right thing by me, including this time :)
Ray