Rack & Pinion questions

sparx · Dec 10, 2009

After the Rick Wurth issue, now I am again looking for a rack for my 66 coupe.

I am trying to decide between Randall Rack and TCP. Unisteer is a possiblity but it seems there are some small issues with it.

Randall states turning radius is lost some. Is turning radius also lost with the TCP rack and pinion?

sparx

5280/4 · Dec 10, 2009

sparx said:
After the Rick Wurth issue, now I am again looking for a rack for my 66 coupe.

I am trying to decide between Randall Rack and TCP. Unisteer is a possiblity but it seems there are some small issues with it.

Randall states turning radius is lost some. Is turning radius also lost with the TCP rack and pinion?

sparx

TCP is the best on the market. Randalls uses OEM junk. I have the TCP manual rack on my 65 mustang drag car.

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sparx · Dec 10, 2009

Randalls Junk ... really?

5280/4 · Dec 10, 2009

The reason I say junk:

randalls, uni-steer and wurth design all use the same GM j-car rack. It was designed for a non-sporty sedan. I prefer a more advanced technology rack. Look into what racks are used by "super cars" most use woodward racks. TCP uses a woodward pinion and servo (servo for their power rack). Also track cars are using BRT and appleton.

The TCP rack is much stronger than the OEM junk. My falcon will be a multi-use car that will see some track days and I plan on pushing my car to its limits. I want minimal deflection in my steering so the TCP will be the route i go, I will be changing the mounting style to accomadate my car.

Any rack you choose will need a center-take-off and needs 6.375" ( i believe j-cars have 5.5") ( TCP only has about 6.125") of travel to maintain the stock travel. Also adjustable rack height would be the ideal way to adjust bumpsteer instead of a lot of spacers on the spindle tie-rod.

If you car is just a street car and you can deal with increase in turning radius then the cheap randalls manual steering would be a decent choice.

But for performance use TCP.

sparx · Dec 10, 2009

Not sure I follow the "center" info you provided, totally.

With TCP can I use the existing (stock) steering column?

My car has power steering btw.

Appreciate the info and help.

sparx

5280/4 · Dec 10, 2009

center-take-off instead of end-take-off, TCP style versus pinto style rack.

I used the stock column with my TCP setup.

I cant help with power as I dont run power steering. Im not a fan.

j69302 · Dec 10, 2009

I have TCP power rack on my 69. It is very nice. You may have to make your own hardlines coming out of the rack if you have long tubes. The fittings the send don give a lot of options for routing the lines around long tube headers.

Steering is very precise and there is plenty of feedback coming through the road. Over all its easy to install and the turning radius was the same if not tighter than with the stock powersteering. This might be different with a 65/66 since they are not as wide therefore those racks may not have the same travel as the later racks.

Psydwaze · Dec 10, 2009

The ability to maintain the correct distance between the inner tie-rod pivots without losing steering travel, excellent header clearance, and compatibilty with stock or aftermarket columns and oil pans are other benefits of the TCP center-take-off rack.

A minor correction to the info 5280/4 gave you. The TCP rack does in fact have 6-3/8" of travel.

If you haven't done so already, take a look at the data sheet and installation instructions to get a better feel for the product.

Technical Data Sheet (1.2MB)

Document Library (instructions and such)

Product Page

Lino Chestang
TCP/Chassisworks

P.S. 5280/4, Not sure what year your Falcon is, but we do have a '60-65 Falcon version of the rack that is a bolt-in.

5280/4 · Dec 10, 2009

Psydwaze said:
The ability to maintain the correct distance between the inner tie-rod pivots without losing steering travel, excellent header clearance, and compatibilty with stock or aftermarket columns and oil pans are other benefits of the TCP center-take-off rack.

A minor correction to the info 5280/4 gave you. The TCP rack does in fact have 6-3/8" of travel.

If you haven't done so already, take a look at the data sheet and installation instructions to get a better feel for the product.

Technical Data Sheet (1.2MB)

Document Library (instructions and such)

Product Page

Lino Chestang
TCP/Chassisworks

P.S. 5280/4, Not sure what year your Falcon is, but we do have a '60-65 Falcon version of the rack that is a bolt-in.

thank you for coming to the board with the tech.

My 65 mustang with the TCP rack no longer hits the steering stops which it did hit with stock steering. There is about 1/4" gap. The rack and tie rods are parallel to each other. This should give the most travel from the rack. This doesn't really concern me as it is a drag car.

I know you guys have a bolt in rack for the falcon. But i made my own steering column and suspension and want to modify your mounting to make it better engineered for my car.

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sparx · Dec 11, 2009

I read the TCP data and I wanted to understand if the TCP rack changes the steering ratio. I am not sure now.

I have had people tell me that some racks reduce the ratio and the steering become too precise, and the car is hard to keep tracking straight down the highway.

I think I have explained this properly. "Quicker steering" may be another way to express it.

I don't want to put all this money into the steering and end up hating it.

Sparx

5280/4 · Dec 11, 2009

according to TCP stock travel is 6.375 (i think its closer to 6.5"). From their site, the pinion gear has a ratio of 2.09" per 1 rotation. They also state that full lock to lock is 3 turns. therfore 6.27" of total travel. I think the 3 turns lock to lock will define your ratio. I think the 16:1 quick ratio k-model steering box is close to 3 turns lock to lock. this is also the ratio of the stock power steering mustangs. The stock manual steering mustang was 20:1 or 19:1 and was 4.5 turns lock to lock.

I hope this helps. You would be very happy with the TCP rack.

sparx · Dec 11, 2009

Sorry for being dense.

So as I read your post above 5280 it appears that the rack is similiar to the original FORD steering system.

I hope I am getting this right!

Thanks very much for your patience.

sparx

5280/4 · Dec 11, 2009

Yep, to me it looks like TCP just replicated the original inner tie rod mounting points of the stock ford center link. Obviously ford accounted for ackerman and bumpsteer. Only when you lower a mustang do you need to adjust the bumpsteer.

sparx · Dec 11, 2009

Ok
I did the shelby drop and will be using 1" lowering (480# I think) coil springs. All ball joints etc. are new and/or replaced. New UCA shafts too.

So, regarding "bump steer" would I need that additional TCP "bump steer kit"?

5280/4 · Dec 11, 2009

The bumpsteer kit is just a rod end and spacers. you could make your own tie rods with rodends on either side and a straight link in between them. You dont need any of the curves like stock when you switch to the TCP rack. The price of the tie rods would be in the $50 range compared to $300 range from TCP. The bump steer kit just allows you to make the adjustments if needed. It doesnt fix the problem by just bolting it on. There is some tuning needed. i would do something to be able to adjust your bumpsteer.

Sounds like a good setup you have there. Check out the link about my build.

1965 ford falcon pro touring - Pro-Touring.com

sparx · Dec 11, 2009

5280
I will check your linked site.

I have no good tie rod ends, what tie rods would I need to buy and can I use my existing sleeves?

Not sure about all this bump steer hardware, I have to look at the link.
sparx

5280/4 · Dec 11, 2009

What I will do is run aluminum rod ends and drill and ream out the spindle to 0.495" and run a shoulder bolt through the spindle and rodend. instead of using the ball joint style tapered tierod ends. The inner pivot point will also be a rod end. I will connect each rod end with a swedged steel tube. The rod ends will be left hand and right hand thread.

Bullitt · Dec 12, 2009

You might consider Steeroids as well.

I have a TCP rack (manual) and want to convert to power, but can't quite conjur up the funds to get a TCP power unit. Seriously looking at the Steeroids racks, but there are fitment issues with my headers (and you can't use the clutch z-bar without mods).

sparx · Dec 12, 2009

I was considering getting a manual TCP rack to save money, can it be upgraded to power in the future?

How rough is having manual steering on the Mustang with the TCP system?

5280/4 · Dec 12, 2009

doesnt the steeriods rack still just use the j-car rack??

As for power upgrades to the TCP rack Im not sure how easy that would be. You need a servo and other things, it seams doable but not sure on the cost, Just give TCP a call.

My mustang is easy to drive over 10mph. Slow speeds make it a little harder to steer but i also have a decent amount of caster. My front end weight is 1500lbs and a 245 tire for the street and a 3.5 drag skinny for the track.

What is your weight and tire?

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