hi everyone, my name is Samy & i´m just getting started on my haynes roadster & the chassis is starting to take shape . I´ve bought a sierra 2.0L from 85 in very good condition & was woundering if it was posible to use the stearing rack from the sierra on the haynes roadster considering it´s longer than the mk2.
thanks ,
Samy

I believe that, like you say, its longer than the escort rack and therefore youll get bump steer. Best thing would be to get an escort rack/

The Sierra rack can be modified if you have the correct tools to do it such as lathe, mill etc, and the confidence to ensure it is perfect. You may also have to modify the brackets to mount it on.

For the cost and time involved buy yourself a new Escort rack and fit extensions. You can then have a choice of turns such as 2.1, 2.4 and 2.9 lock to lock, I think I am correct on them.

Cheers

Adrian

thanks guys,I think i´d rather just buy the escort rack then. there is a scrap yard close by so i´ll give them a call & see if i can get one there.
thanks ,
Samy

The escort rack is cheap enough brand new, I wouldn't bother with used.

IF my memory is correct, I think that you have to shorten the Escort rack for the Haynes, (measurements in the book), so it may be just as easy to do the Sierra one, and as you already have it, what have you got to lose. Cheers Ray

Hi again, thanks for all the replys guys.So you all got me thinking & i´ve been looking arownd at different options & maybe i´ll take a shot at shortening the sierras rack & if it doesnt work out ...........it´ll just add to my expereance then i´ll toss it & get the escort rack but i´m pretty confident i can do it , it´s the kind of thing we do at work all the time!
Anyway i would appreciate som info on exactly what it is i have to do to shorten the rack! it would be cool if i could just use the one i have .
Thanks,
Samy

You need to ensure that the ball joints on the control arms are in line vertically with the centreline of the pivots on both the upper and lower wishbones. Does it give you this measurement in the book?

Phil

yeh the measurement is in the book . but what is it on the rack that i can shorten?
cheers,samy

[Edited on 5/4/09 by squbti]

As Phil says you need to have the inner pivots on a line between the inner wishbone pivots(allowing for any steering arm offset)

The Escort rack is very close to the ideal in standard unmodified form and this is what was used on the prototype. The absolute ideal is shown in figure 5.34, page 75 of the book, this would require the rack and the housing to be shortened.

If you have the facillities to shorten the rack and housing you could shorten the Sierra rack to the same dimensions, but the steering extensions would need to be altered to maintain the geometry as outlined above.

Cheers

Chris

Hi Chris , let me just start by saying I love the book & I am really enjoying it . Thanks for the reply & the info I think i know what i need to do now . I´m just brain storming like crazy trying to get a good picture of all the details & always thinking ahead so that i dont mess up & have to redo things , so far so good.
Thanks ,Samy

Thanks for the kind words Samy

The other thing that I forgot to mention is the Sierra rack requires a different fixing system, it doesn't have clamps like the Escort rack, but through bolts. This will require the rack to be set up for bump steer as above, and as far as possible the track rods should be horizontal at ride height.

It's possible but I think it's easier all round to use the Escort rack.

Cheers

Chris

Thanks again Chris , it´s such an honor to get advise & info from you . Everyone here has been very helpfull & welcoming , it´s grea to know i can turn to you for help when i need it .
So I think I´ll go for the Escort rackt & make it easier for myself, I quess I have enough to do as it is .....

Thanks Guys,
Samy

[Edited on 6/4/09 by squbti]

[Edited on 6/4/09 by squbti]

got an escort rack for 55 quid! not worth messing about with, i just put my faith in the fact the must of ruled out the seirra rack for one reason or another!