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Which 03 Cobra Rack??

  • Thread starter Thread starter Zero_chance
  • Start date Start date Mar 26, 2009

Zero_chance

Founding Member
May 29, 2001
1,244
7
59
Maricopa, AZ
Mar 26, 2009
#1
  • Mar 26, 2009
  • #1
Looking to getting a reman Cobra rack but there are two choices. Dimensionally theyre both very similar but I was hoping someone that might have done the swap could chime in. Either code SPR ZM or SPR ZK I believe was the second one. A little research has found some people using the ZM rack but it wasnt in a Mustang. Im sure someone else has done the swap.
 

Chythar

Recently finished repairing my rear
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 26, 2004
2,373
140
113
Foothill Ranch, CA
Mar 26, 2009
#2
  • Mar 26, 2009
  • #2
ZM is on the 03 Cobra rack I bought from eBay. I remember a thread in 94-95 Talk I believe that verified ZM as an 03 Cobra rack.
 

Zero_chance

Founding Member
May 29, 2001
1,244
7
59
Maricopa, AZ
Mar 26, 2009
#3
  • Mar 26, 2009
  • #3
Yeah for some reason at my store there are two choices but the more I look into it, the ZK one keeps being pegged as the GT rack and / or Mach1 rack. Dont know how truthful that is. But I was definitely leaning toward ZM. Actually, thinking back, didnt you get one sometime last year?? Wasnt it damaged or something? What ever happened with that?
 

95strokerPSU

Member
Jul 29, 2004
986
1
19
Sacramento from Philly
Mar 26, 2009
#4
  • Mar 26, 2009
  • #4
ZM is what you want. That's what I got.

Chad's 2000 Mustang GT American Racer -- 03 Cobra Steering Rack
 

Chythar

Recently finished repairing my rear
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 26, 2004
2,373
140
113
Foothill Ranch, CA
Mar 26, 2009
#5
  • Mar 26, 2009
  • #5
Zero_chance said:
Yeah for some reason at my store there are two choices but the more I look into it, the ZK one keeps being pegged as the GT rack and / or Mach1 rack. Dont know how truthful that is. But I was definitely leaning toward ZM. Actually, thinking back, didnt you get one sometime last year?? Wasnt it damaged or something? What ever happened with that?
Click to expand...

One of the tie rods was messed up. The seller sent me a new one, so I'm all good. I haven't installed the rack yet, it was one of those "I better buy it now" kinda things.
 
M

mustangnick88

New Member
May 5, 2002
12
0
0
Mar 27, 2009
#6
  • Mar 27, 2009
  • #6
benefits of cobra rack?
 
9

96darkhorse

Founding Member
Oct 2, 2001
693
0
16
wilmington, california
Mar 27, 2009
#7
  • Mar 27, 2009
  • #7
Posted via Mobile Device +2.....what are the benefits of the cobra rack..I got the cobra steering shaft and maybe looking into the rack
 

Chythar

Recently finished repairing my rear
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 26, 2004
2,373
140
113
Foothill Ranch, CA
Mar 27, 2009
#8
  • Mar 27, 2009
  • #8
The Cobra rack has a stiffer bushing where the steering shaft connects. It's supposed to give you a better steering response. I haven't found any research saying that it has a different steering ratio or anything like that.
 

Zero_chance

Founding Member
May 29, 2001
1,244
7
59
Maricopa, AZ
Mar 27, 2009
#9
  • Mar 27, 2009
  • #9
Heres a quote from various reviews of the Cobra, etc.
"The SVT Cobra's rack-and-pinion steering system gets a new, low-lash intermediate shaft in 2003, and a higher rate steering gear bushing. These changes improve steering feel by helping reduce play in the system.

Its also a close ratio rack according to the info Ive read, meaning less turns lock to lock.

A google search turns up good info on it as well as a lot of people that have done the swap and are quite happy with it. Im not thinking its going to make a HUGE difference now but I think the Cobra rack combined with a solid steering shaft will make for a nice setup. Plus, my passenger side inner tie rod is a little loose so might as well get a rack with my discount for about a hundred or so and mark one thing off the list that I wont have to worry about in the future.
 
G

greg94

20+ Year Stangneter
Sep 3, 2002
26
1
4
lakeland fl
Apr 27, 2009
#10
  • Apr 27, 2009
  • #10
rack fluids

hey, what are you guys using for power steering fluid. my 94 calls for "type f" and the 03 unit calls for mercon. there are so many versions of fluids now its' got me confused. also is the mercon or mercon V..... ok for the 94 power steering pump. i simply want to be sure i've got the correct fluids for the change over.
 

95strokerPSU

Member
Jul 29, 2004
986
1
19
Sacramento from Philly
Apr 27, 2009
#11
  • Apr 27, 2009
  • #11
You'll want the type f ATF
 
T

timautry

New Member
May 19, 2009
1
0
0
May 19, 2009
#12
  • May 19, 2009
  • #12
Which 03 (or 04) Cobra Rack?

I just went through this pain this weekend folks - here's what I learned. I have a 2004 Cobra and blew a steering rack seal on Friday. The seal leaked into the driver's side boot and it actually blew! I went to Advance Auto Parts and they ordered a reman rack. Of course I had no idea at the time there was a ZK and a ZM code. Received the new one but when I went to install it, I realized the pinion shaft was 180 degress off from the one I took out. I rotated the shaft 180 and installed it... but now, of course, my steering wheel is perfectly upside down. I was unaware (until I drove up to the Ford dealership) that there was NO other adjustment to straighten the wheel. He said I either have a wrong part, or when they rebuit the unit some idiot installed the pinion shaft backwards. Now that I've been reading posts and other pages, it appears I ordered the SPR-ZK and I really need the SPR-ZM. I have both a ZK and a ZM on order from Advance Auto (supplier is CARDONE), so one of them has to be right. Now I just get the absolute joy of pulling that rack back off! So, it may not only be the ratio or bushing stiffness, but it might also be a completely different pinion shaft rotation. Anybody else experienced this???
 
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