03-04 Cobra Steering Rack

[95strokerPSU]

I need to replace my steering rack so I want to go with an 03-04 Cobra rack. First question is will it fit? I believe it will I just want to find out for sure. And where can I get one? Would any Ford Racing dealer, like John Bleakley Ford be able to get me one?

Thanks
Dave

 

[95cobraguy]

just get a manual one, thats what i'm in the process of doing.

 

[V8SHME8]

Yes it fits.

 

[95strokerPSU]

Anyone know where to get one? I saw an old thread on corner carvers and the guy got it new for $160 plus shipping but didn't say where from.

 

[loudpedal99]

Is there any benefit in going with a Cobra rack (like when you go with their control arms)?

 

[95strokerPSU]

I know the 03-04 shaft (which I already bought) has a solid u-joint as opposed to a rag joint, which will provide a more responsive driver input. I haven't looked into the benefits of the rack yet, I just know that it's a somewhat common upgrade and it's almost the same amount of money as a new 95 rack.

 

[WhiteDevil]

So if im going to replace my rag joint this summer i could use an 03 cobra steering shaft?

 

[95strokerPSU]

That's what I'm hoping because I already have the shaft sitting in my garage. They're only $35 including shipping off of eBay. I think it was Blue Oval Industries that I got it from. Now I just need to find a rack...I emailed a bunch of places today so hopefully one of them will get back to me soon.

 

[95strokerPSU]

So much for an 03-04 rack. I just heard back from PPI and they were selling them for $169.99 but that's only because Ford put them on sale. Now they supposedly go for 3 times that much, not mention I still haven't found anyone who carries them. So I guess unless I come across one in the classifieds, then I'm just gonna get a new 95 rack and use the 03 shaft.

 

[69clark]

Don't think the question has been answered yet but is there a benefit to using the 03-04 rack.

 

[WhiteCobra95]

Similar Steering Issue

Gents, I had a similar steering problem with my ’95 Cobra and some of my info might be helpful/useful, although I haven’t resolved everything yet.

I have a ’95 which I bought 3 years ago. At the time of purchase it had 11k miles and spent most of it’s time sitting around waiting for shows. I noticed right away that the steering was too loose. It felt like the rack had a dead spot. I replaced the original tires and that improved the situation a little bit, but on rutted MI roads I could feel the rack bounce back and forth from one hard stop to the other.

Finally, I broke down and purchased a rack from AGR and FR Cobra R outer tie rod ends. AGR suggested synthetic power steering fluid, so I used Royal purple to flush the pump and to fill the system. After the alignment, I noticed that the car now tracks better but it’s still feels vague and the tram lining issue is not completely resolved. In addition, anything more than about a quarter turn of the wheel in either direction gives a nasty surging feeling where it wants to pull back to center for a second and then completely untenses. I tried rebleeding the system twice but this doesn’t help.

My next step is to contact AGR regarding the surge and replace the steering shaft to resolve the remaining loose steering feel. I’m kind of ticked because the steering in my Saturn daily driver feels better than my sports car! I picked up the rack last November new from Summit and installed it right away, but didn’t have much time to test it out before the snow hit. The surge was discovered a week ago when I pulled out the car for the summer. Hopefully AGR will be cool when I call this week and complain. It’s almost like I’ve traded one problem for another at the cost of $240.00!

In summary, the FR Cobra R tie rod ends are a very nice upgrade – beerfier than stock with lube fittings. I’m not sure yet about the AGR rack – I’ll let you know how they react. I almost bought the flaming river kit, but the price scared me away. Now I think it might have been worth it!!!

Thanks for reading my rant – whitecobra95

 

[WhiteDevil]

Yeah i feel that same vagueness and loosness in my GT. My dads 2002 GT feels sooo much smoother and more responsive. I have been trying to decide what to do with mine.

 

[loudpedal99]

www.partsamerica.com (Checker Auto) shows the 03 cobra rack and pinion for $189.99, with a $140.00 core charge.

I also have the "vague" feeling, as well as a weird dead spot. Any info you find out later will be greatly appreciated.

I was actually considering a manual rack, but I don't know how much of a PITA it will be with 245 tires.

 

[95cobraguy]

i just ordered a flaming river manual rack for mine yesterday. i tried 3 different agr pumps from summit and they all leaked so i said the hell with it and am going manual. i already deleted the pump and i've been driving around with the stock rack but i should have the manual rack hopefully the beginning of next week.

 

[95strokerPSU]

i just ordered a flaming river manual rack for mine yesterday. i tried 3 different agr pumps from summit and they all leaked so i said the hell with it and am going manual. i already deleted the pump and i've been driving around with the stock rack but i should have the manual rack hopefully the beginning of next week.

Yeah someone on here had mentioned that the nipple did not line up correctly on the AGR pumps. I just got a remanufactured Cardone pump from Autozone and it's fine. Doesn't look like I'll be getting an 03 Cobra rack though. I think I'm gonna go with the AGR quick ratio (15:1) rack from Summit for $240. Does anybody have any experience with a quick ratio rack?

 

[donjohn]

i did the rebuit one last summer along with tie rods, a-arms, and a few other suspension things

OT: Stroker: what ever happened with that hidden antennae? does it work well, and where'd you hide it?

 

[95strokerPSU]

OT: Stroker: what ever happened with that hidden antennae? does it work well, and where'd you hide it?

It came with double sided tape attached to it, so I just stuck to the ducting behind/above the HVAC controls, inside the dash. Works great, even though I hardly ever listen to the radio.

 

[95cobraguy]

Yeah someone on here had mentioned that the nipple did not line up correctly on the AGR pumps.

i had that problem with the first pump i ordered so i just swapped the reservoirs over and it leaked so i returned it to summit and had to grind a channel in the p/s, a/c bracket for the return hose to line up with the return on the agr pumps. i then went through 2 other agr pumps from summit but both leaked from the front seal of the pump making a mess so i said f-ck it and ditched the p/s altogether. i ordered the flaming river manual rack yesterday.

 

[95strokerPSU]

I was considering a flaming river manual rack but having driven my car with no power assist when making left hand turns for the past 5000 miles, I don't think it's for me. Gotta let us know how hard steering is with the fr rack. And did you get the quick ratio or standard ratio?

 

[WhiteCobra95]

AGR Rack

Yeah someone on here had mentioned that the nipple did not line up correctly on the AGR pumps. I just got a remanufactured Cardone pump from Autozone and it's fine. Doesn't look like I'll be getting an 03 Cobra rack though. I think I'm gonna go with the AGR quick ratio (15:1) rack from Summit for $240. Does anybody have any experience with a quick ratio rack?

Take a look at my post above if you interrrested in the AGR rack. The jurry is still out on that one, but I'll keep you posted.

UPDATE:
I spoke with AGR today about the surging I mentioned above. Tech support thinks I have an air leak somewhere in the system. He suggested looking for air bubbles in the reservoir after warming it up and doing a couple turns to reproduce the surging. The only spot I can think of where it could be sucking in air is at the p/s hose rack-side fittings. I suspect that the Teflon seals might not have shrunk down all the way after installing them on the hose fittings and never seated completely. Or maybe the replacement seals that came with the rack aren’t as good as the factory Ford parts! I’m going to hit the dealer tomorrow to get new ones. I’ll give it a shot this weekend if I have time to pull the rack.

This probably won’t fix the vague feeling, but if it fixes the surging I’ll be much happier. I’m probably going to order a new steering shaft to resolve the vague feeling. ….to be continued.

I seriously wonder what they changed on the ’99 and later cars. I test drove a Mach 1 before I bought my Cobra and the steering was significantly tighter!!!! Is it the steering shaft or the rack???