Rack & Pinion Poll

[geostang351]

I have been recently contemplating changing my current PS system to a Rack & pinion but with all the different types of R&P on the market, I would like to get a idea as to which one is the best as far as ease of installation and quality of the kit.

I have a 68 coupe with a 351W motor that has Hedman headers. This requires the PS drop bracket for the ram to clear the headers. The bracket is continually being ripper out of the frame by the ram and I have had enough of fixing this.

Let me know what you prefer or recommend and why so I have a better idea as to which one to look into. I want something that will clear my headers and not be an issue with the steering U-joints required (I see too many people getting theirs binding and needing to shave parts of them to fit).

Thanks.

 

[grego37]

I have a 68 fastback with a 351w and went with a TCP rack and pinion (non power) installation was simple, instructions were clear, quality of product is top notch, my only complaint was the price, a little pricey

 

[Tubo(2-bo)]

Unisteer

I realize there will be some disagreement, with the Unister.
It's more like a kit than a true bolt on, cut the DD shaft 15in long, instead of the 14in reccommended, and your good to go.
There is the point of undefined headder use, which is over come with use of the off set bracket fromthe 67-68 kit.
Onec installed & it really wasnt that difficult, once the 15in cut is known, its a trrue joy to drive. A real high quality setup.
I just returned from a 1500 mile trip from Fl. to Dallas & back(MustangSteve BDBIV), even the wife enjoyed driving the car.
For what ya get, for what ya pay, its hard to beat.

 

[gonzothegreat]

Randall here on my 65 coupe
http://www.thefroginator.co.uk/index.php?folder=/022-Pictures/02-during/03-rackpinion/

 

[stangman67]

i too have unisteer. pain to install and i had to reroute 1 header tube (hooker comps), but works great. I got it at the $570 price, so the few hundred saved, compared to now, was worth it. At the current price, i may consider the tcp and get on with it.

 

[ptl65]

I bought the Unisteer for my 65 Fastback. No headers or other clearance problems. Having problems with binding at u-joints. Had to get a longer shaft and still waiting to get time to try again. Also the bracket that holds the rack is shaped like an angled "L", preventing you from getting a socket cleanly on the bolts that mount the bracket. Had to notch the bracket. Still hoping this will work out, as I have read some good things about the system. Got it for $800 at the Carlise show, so assuming it does work out, it would be a good deal.

 

[Tubo(2-bo)]

I bought the Unisteer for my 65 Fastback. No headers or other clearance problems. Having problems with binding at u-joints. Had to get a longer shaft and still waiting to get time to try again. Also the bracket that holds the rack is shaped like an angled "L", preventing you from getting a socket cleanly on the bolts that mount the bracket. Had to notch the bracket. Still hoping this will work out, as I have read some good things about the system. Got it for $800 at the Carlise show, so assuming it does work out, it would be a good deal.

Cut the shaft 15in long, then it'll work fine.
As I said above it is rather like a kit, ya gotta do a little tweakin. No problem, even for a novice. Once installed, you'll love it. Precise steering, low effort.

 

[geostang351]

Cut the shaft 15in long, then it'll work fine.
As I said above it is rather like a kit, ya gotta do a little tweakin. No problem, even for a novice. Once installed, you'll love it. Precise steering, low effort.

Your write up looks to be more then a little tweaking. You cut the shaft an inch then had to work the shaft to get the shaper required to fit the coupling(sp?).

Does the steering/column and shaft need to be removed to do all swaps or just unisteer?

 

[68EFIvert]

I used a Steeroids kit with my 302 with Headman's and I did not have any problems. Give them a look. The tech support is great. I would do it again. I think you will have to pull the column on any of the kits to get the right fit. If you don't pull it completely you may be able to just loosen it from the firewall and slide the column in or out to get the proper alignment. I think it would be easier to pull it though.

 

[Tubo(2-bo)]

Excuse the confusion, 'the shaft" is the DD shaft provided in the Unisteer kit. The reccommendation in the kit is to cut it (appx)14 in. That can lead to notchiness(universals binding)in some cars, due to individual cars variances, wheather from the factory or just time.
The stock steering shaft in a 65-66 is part of the steering box assly. So yes, I think you can say, every R&P install will involve removin the shaft & collumn.

The DD shaft, between the universals, in the picture is what needs to be cut @15in

This shows the very slight notching needed to clear a socket.

 

[mikec35]

Is it better to get a power steering rack or manual? How much effort is required for a manual rack as opposed to original manual steering?

 

[Steve69]

I have been recently contemplating changing my current PS system to a Rack & pinion but with all the different types of R&P on the market, I would like to get a idea as to which one is the best as far as ease of installation and quality of the kit.

I have a 68 coupe with a 351W motor that has Hedman headers. This requires the PS drop bracket for the ram to clear the headers. The bracket is continually being ripper out of the frame by the ram and I have had enough of fixing this.

Let me know what you prefer or recommend and why so I have a better idea as to which one to look into. I want something that will clear my headers and not be an issue with the steering U-joints required (I see too many people getting theirs binding and needing to shave parts of them to fit).

Thanks.

Had the same problem with the the bracket moving around. I welded it to
the frame and have had no problems after that.