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Extending Escort Mk 2 heavy duty rack
Mr C - 5/8/14 at 04:27 PM

I need to extend a steering rack for my project, I've a 2.4 heavy duty escort rack from Rally design which is 24" between ball joint centres. To avoid bumpsteer I need to "move the ball joints out by 3" on each side. I'm thinking remove the drumsticks and put on 3" extensions on to the rack. Then get new MX5 ball joints/drumsticks which will fix on to the extensions, giving me the right width between the pivot points and the right ends for my hubs.

Any thoughts?.. is this a doable plan?..any easier ways? ideas on machining etc... All constructive comments welcome

snapper - 5/8/14 at 07:04 PM

That is the way to do it
You'll need to make sure steering gators are long enough
And more important extensions are secure, probably welded

britishtrident - 5/8/14 at 07:52 PM

Escort 2 and Cortina 3 to 5 racks only differ in the width between the ball ends, istr the Cortina is 4" wider.
A Cortina rack with an Escort quick rack pinnion is possible.

Alan G - 26/9/14 at 03:10 AM

grp4fabrications.com have rack extensions available off the shelf. The quality is top notch and is certainly not to get confused with the same items of less quality available from rally design etc.

I have them on my drift car along with rose jointed track rod ends... great job!

Alan G - 26/9/14 at 03:11 AM

http://grp4fabrications.com/product_info.php?cPath=58&products_id=276

adithorp - 26/9/14 at 09:15 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Alan G
http://grp4fabrications.com/product_info.php?cPath=58&products_id=276


Isn't that just a track rod extention? I think the OP wants to extend the rack itself (so the inner knuckle joints are wider).

OP; I think your plan would work but the gaiters would be very long (and any side loading on the rack/bushes would be greater). Can you not use a wider rack as BT suggests?

43655 - 26/9/14 at 06:10 PM

I was planning to do the same thing and did worry about the extra unsupported rack sticking out either side
Will check with my CAD model on the exact length i have to extend by, but it's a lot! (considerin the rack is just below the UCAs, and my car is 1850mm wide.

If the rubber boots don't reach how about putting a clevis and rose joint on the end of the extension instead? seen it done before.
Would be nice to have it protected from the elements though.

BritishTrident, is the escort R&P a drop in fit in the Cortina rack 'body' then? are they available like the escort racks are, or try and find a used one?
Cheers