Can anyone tell me if the mk1 and mk2 escort steering racks are the same size? Length of the rack bj-bj and length of track rods being the important dimensions.

We know the mk2 pretty well fits a +4 chassis, need to know if a mk1 would be ok too.

Also.. does the sierra steering column end clamp (that normally goes on a sierra rack) fit an escort rack? or do we need to make sure we get the escort end and do some welderizing?

ta all,

Don't know about Mk1 and Mk2 comparison, but my sierra clamp fits my Mk2 rack

mk1+2 racks should be identical.
Also the sierra column does fit the splines on an Escort rack.It seems to be a very common set up.(its what i am using)


I stand to be corrected

mk1 and mk2 escort racks are the same apart from the threads for the track rod ends mk1 are an english thread and mk2 are a metric thread i think?

the part of the rack where the steering shaft is attachewd to is also avaialable in long stem and short stem on the Mk1

Blueshift,

You're doing a +4" aren't you? Just out of interest how are you going to compensate for the extra 4"?

Rash is correct I believe about the threads being metric and imperial.

Cheers,

James

James,

I think i saw that steering arm extensions are now available on darrens gts tuning website for wide track (sierra based) cars.

HTH

Ned.

Ned,
Mine's sorted- I'm just interested what they're planning to do!

James

James,
I believe the rack is nearly a perfect length for a +4 chassis, all that is needed is tie rod extensions which are easily available.
Correct me if I'm wrong but that should do the trick.
I've just been told I've got an interview for a new job so I might just sod it and buy a new quickrack if I get it

Mk1 has UNF threads for Track rod ends Mk2 has Metric.
I found it imposible to get UNF ends to fit Cortina upright tapers. Ended up junking the MK1 rack fitted Mk2 instead.
Now that rack is leaking too!

James,
The Escort rack is the right length (inner balljoint to inner balljoint) for the +4" chassis and as mentioned, the track rods can be easily lengthened. The thread on the MK2 is M14 standard in case anyone fancies making their own track rod extensions or a fellow Locostbuilder can make them for you. U2U me for details.

Blueshift, I got a reconoditioned MK2 rack for 20 odd quid (£23.?? I think) from TMS autospares. It isn't a quick rack but who cares for now, I've enough to worry about and this can be converted to a quick rack later. You will need an old rack to exchange but I'm sure they wouldn't notice if you gave them a MK1 rack in exchange.

As for the steering column pinion splines, yes the Sierra column does fit but I'd advise you get a Group 4 steering coupling from the likes of Rally Design (£14.80 IIRC) as these are more compact and are a proper universal joint rather than the big rubber donut thing on the Sierra. This is especially important if you plan to weld near the donut as I'm sure the rubber won't like it much. Take care with the little rubber seals on the universal joint though when welding (I wrapped them in a damp cloth before welding and then cooled them under a tap afterwards whilst trying not to cool the weld itself as this would make it brittle. I can give you more details of my steering downlink if you need them but check out my website in the first instance. By the way my website is down just at the minute because BT have killed my ADSL connection (again!!!)

Cheers,
Craig.

Some Sierras have steering links with proper uj,s.Shop around your local scrappie you should find one. Because its from a Sierra it should fit both ends.I paid £35 for a complete steering column,down link,with keys and dashboard loom.

Aren't the ones with proper UJ's from the Sierra with power steering? If so then I think the splined couplings are different (bigger)
Worth checking anyway.
Cheers,
Craig.

quote:

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Originally posted by craig1410
James,
The Escort rack is the right length (inner balljoint to inner balljoint) for the +4" chassis and as mentioned, the track rods can be easily lengthened. .
.

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Good point James, I know that the mcsorley +422 is not +4 at the front (so standard book w/bones), but I thought other +4 chassis were +4 at the front as well.

escort rack is actually too wide for standard width chassis, by a significant amount too, so I can believe it'll be fine for a +4. I'm gonna have to be v careful to eliminate as much bump steer as poss.

James,
GO is correct. By my measurements the Escort is within 6mm of being perfect for the McSorley 7+4 chassis and hence it must be 94mm too big for the standard chassis. The overall (Track rod end to track rod end width is obviously more suited to the standard chassis and longer track rods are required on the 7+4" by virtue of screw-on extensions)

It all depends on how high you mount the rack, as to get the inner steering balljoints in line with your upper and lower suspension mounts requires more width as you mount the rack higher.

However, this can make bump steer much worse if you get to the situation where your steering track rods are in droop when the lower suspension arms are level. Ideally (AFAIK) you should aim to get the rack and track rods in line when the car is at ride height with the lower suspension arms (balljoint centre and suspension mounting centre's) level. On my car this equates to about 3" above the TOP face of the lower chassis rails to the centre of the rack. I'm using Cortina uprights so I don't know how this will apply to Sierra uprights as the steering arms may be at a different height.

I can provide drawings and photo's if you don't see what I'm on about.

Cheers,
Craig.

As other have told you the MK1 rack is no good because thread won't mate to Cortina track rod ends BUT you can fit Metric rods from a Cortina to the Escort rack.

Then other alternative is use a Sierra rack