What steering rack to order?

[gbeaird]

It looks like AGR makes a replacement, hopefully nearly-bolt in rack and pinion for the SVO. They have three versions:

15:1 Ratio, .230 firm pinion valve, 3/4 36 input spline, SAE inner tie rods, bolt in replacement. 712581
15:1 Ratio, .245 Cobra R heavy valve, 3/4 36 input spline, SAE inner tie rods, bolt in replacement. 712571
20:1 Ratio, .215 medium pinion valve, 3/4 36 input spline, SAE inner tie rods, bolt in replacement. 711061

It looks like the 15:1 ratio is the closer match, but which one, 'firm' or 'heavy'? Thanks.

[SVOeric]

I'd go for the heavy myself. but my previous experience is, it's been hit or miss.

to be fair tho, I've not ordered from AGR.

[svono50]

15:1 is what you want and I have heard the same thing about replacement racks that the valving can be hit or miss. I too would sway toward the 'heavy valve', but that is just a personal preference. I drove my '80 4-cyl Mustang with manual steering for 16 years and became accustomed to a heavier feel. You may want to give AGR a call and see what their opinion is. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[gbeaird]

Yeah, I may do that, I just wanted to see if anyone has actually used one yet. I got the information about the _existence_ of the rack from Inerceptor on his project WIP, but I don't think he's turned a wheel under power yet. I'd have one on it's way today, if someone said 'yeah, you wanna get P/N XXX'. So I guess I'll have to call AGR and see if they have any recommendations.

[gbeaird]

I called and talked to AGR, and the guy I talked to indicated that the Cobra R 'heavy' rack would be almost like manual steering with wide tires in tight spaces. It sounds like the 'firm' is the one most like the stock SVO rack. I'll probably be purchasing one of these soon, but like just about everyone else, it'll probably be a while longer before the car is running again.

The tech did indicate that if we wanted, we could order a torque arm for the pinion valve that's wider than the one for the 'firm' rack yet thinner than the Cobra R pinion valve, in order to tailor the feel more like what we see in the factory SVO rack. We'll see how it feels first with the 'firm' rack.

[svono50]

Sounds good Gene, let us know what your results are when you do get around to it. Thanx.

[gbeaird]

Look what I unwrapped yesterday!

New rack.jpg

It's the AGR 80-93 Mustang - 15:1 Quick Ratio Steering And Firm Performance Valving rack. Frankly, it looks like the housing at least is a reman, as the external lines show some damage not acquired in shipping (although the rack did roll around inside the packaging quite a bit). It's still very pretty!!

I ordered this thing back in June. I went ahead and ordered it from Summit, since I was 1. placing an order anyway, and 2. shipping would be free, and 3. shipping from Summit's Georgia warehouse is delivered almost before I can order it. I promptly got a back-order card in the mail. I would call for the status, and every time I'd call I'd be told it was at least two more weeks out. The last time I called, early last week, I was told it was going to be the first of October before it shipped. I was going to call AGR this week to see if I would get any better results if I just ordered it from them, cancelling my order with Summit, but on Monday, I had the shipping notification in my inbox. It shipped Saturday, and was delivered yesterday.

It'll probably be a while before we install it. I'd like to pull the old one, and really clean things up under there. That, and the car still needs a fuel pump, which is the next work in line for it after I clear my plate of working on the autocross car, so we may not see it on the car for a while. Still, I now have one. I believe I have some offset bushings somewhere around here I'd like to install in the rack before bolting it to the car, too.

I'm not certain if the delay was because AGR had to get a good housing to clean and use, or if they do such things in batches, and were waiting for enough orders to come in to make a 'run', if you are even thinking about getting one of these, I'd pull the trigger sooner, rather than later. Three month's wait is a bit long, IMHO.

[svono50]

Thanx for the update and pic of the 'shiny' part. Hope the thing performs as good as it looks with a 3 month wait on it. Hard to tell what the delay was for, guess you could drop AGR a note and see if they respond...could be a 3 month wait, eh??

[SVOeric]

I just want to hear that it don't feel like a lincoln town car after install.

[gbeaird]

Ted,

Actually, I'd just call them. When I called to get information, they answered the phone, were quite knowledgeable and helpful. I _almost_ ordered it when I was on the phone with them, but figured I'd take advantage of the free shipping from the Big Speed Parts Reseller instead. I don't think that was the reason for the delay, just that AGR didn't have any built units in stock, but am not 100% sure on that.

Eric,

Indeed, that will be the test, although it wouldn't bother me as much as having the ratio off. With shocks, springs and swaybars, our 79 Seville corners quite well, even if the steering is 'big sedan light'. After a couple of turns, it's actually a fun to have the light feel, you just have to pay attention where the wheels are pointed. The ratio is a little slow, though, so who knows, it may get an F-body gearbox to help that. There's fun either way.

[gbeaird]

I finally got some time out in the shop to spend with the SVO. I figured I'd start the rack removal. I figured the most difficult part would be getting the tie rod ends off, but they dropped right out after loosening the nuts. The rack mount bolts easily came loose, too.

Soo, I started working some more. I figured I'd start getting the tubing nuts off the rack, so it could drain, and I could get deeper into the process. After watching oil drip, I thought I should have a look at the new rack to see exactly what needs to be removed. Well, I discovered that the TWO tubing nuts that do NOT need to come loose were the exact two I loosened.

Tightening those back up, (sheesh) and mopping up the oily mess I made, I started looking around to see what was next. It looks like the line to the cooler comes off at the hose clamp, but the pressure line into the rack will have to come off at the rack, right? I am guessing I also need to pull the steering column coupler off, too, but how the heck to you get to that stuff w/o either pulling the engine, or at least the power steering pump? Wow!

Thanks for any pointers, as I delve into the FSM!

[gbeaird]

I updated in my project thread, but not here. I had an opportunity to drive the car just a bit after getting the new rack on, hoses bolted up, and alignment completed. Now it's been YEARS since I've driven the car, no matter what rack was in it, so I may be forgetting it some, but it seems the Firm valving may be just a bit lighter effort than the OEM rack. It's not bad, and maybe even better in an autocross situation, we'll see. Happy to have it on, and the car down on all fours. Next up will be a thorough cleaning underneath when the weather and my free time cooperate.

[SVOeric]

every FIRM rack (YES the one on the car) I've tried has been quite a bit easier effort than the stock one.

[gbeaird]

Bringing this up from the dead for an update and questions.

While working on replacing the LCAs and front springs, I've discovered that the AGR rack that has less than 100' of driving on it is filling the right boot with fluid on left hand turns! I now have a bucket under it to catch the drippings as I turn the wheel to get to various LCA bits. I knew it was leaking a bit, but not that much. I'm sure rebuilding rack and pinion assemblies can be hit-or-miss, and looks like I got a big ol' miss.

I see where Turn One has a rack rebuild service, so am thinking about sending my OEM rack to them for rebuld. Has anyone used them? Just curious.

One step forward, two steps back!

[gbeaird]

One of the Tech guys at MM who is on another forum I'm on recommended Turn One's rebuild service, and I have confirmed with them that they still provide that service. The Tech guy also requested I ask TO to forward the configuration settings for my rack to MM after they complete the rebuild. Maybe just curiosity, maybe MM will offer up something SVO-specific in the future? Dunno, but I do plan to make that request.

Now, to find a box big enough to ship.