03-04 Cobra Steering Rack

95strokerPSU said:
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?
i got the standard ratio, ordered it from www.jdsperformance.com, he had the best price. i've been driving around witht the power rack in still and its not terrible but i think the manual rack should be better.
 
Here’s a quick update on my steering situation: I just installed a new ’03 Cobra steering shaft in my ’95 Cobra with the AGR quick ratio rack. (Although I think the 15:1 is the same as what the Cobras have stock.) I replaced the Teflon seals (rack side p/s line fittings) with new ones using the proper installation tools, so hopefully this will resolve the surging assist I mentioned before. I’m waiting for a Maximum Motorsports clutch cable kit, which I ordered last week, then she’ll be back on the road and I will report the results. I REALLY hope the ’03 shaft cures the crappy steering feeling!!!
 
WhiteCobra95 said:
Here’s a quick update on my steering situation: I just installed a new ’03 Cobra steering shaft in my ’95 Cobra with the AGR quick ratio rack. (Although I think the 15:1 is the same as what the Cobras have stock.) I replaced the Teflon seals (rack side p/s line fittings) with new ones using the proper installation tools, so hopefully this will resolve the surging assist I mentioned before. I’m waiting for a Maximum Motorsports clutch cable kit, which I ordered last week, then she’ll be back on the road and I will report the results. I REALLY hope the ’03 shaft cures the crappy steering feeling!!!

What installation tool was needed to put the teflon seals on the rack?
 
The '03 shaft is almost identical to my stock '95 at first glance. The u-joing looks a little different. The rag-joint semms slightly stiffer, but that might be due to the fact that it's amost 10 years newer. It also has a white heat sheild at the bottom of the telescoping part and the busing that stick out is a different material.

The install is fairly easy. I didn't have to do anything special. The only tricky part is that you need a torx socket to remove the pinch clamp bolt at the bottom of the steering column.

I don't see anything that should improve steering feel, but I'll find out as soon as my new clutch cable shows up and I can drive again. If there's no significant improvement, then the search for a terminator rack continues.

BTW. The special tool you need to properly install the teflon seals is a pair brass flare tools. The tool caps the threads on the fittling and has a taper which allows you to gradually stretch the seal and snap it on the fitting past the threads. You could try stretching them with a punch, but if you nick the seal on the threads it's probably going to leak or suck in air. The two fittings are different sizes, so you need two tools - THANKS FORD. I bought mine from a local NAPA store for $8/each. It's definately worth it. I struggled with these the first time installed my AGR rack and that's probably why it is having a surging problems now.