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Steering rack
Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 6:15 pm
by new to this
Could someone measure the length and diameter of a Sprint steering rack for me, from the steering gaiter to gaiter.trying to see if a Rover 45 rack would fit ?
Thanks Dave
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 1:33 am
by cleverusername
https://www.macleansbridge.com/index.ph ... ring-racks
The dimensions are in the link above, at least the length ones. BTW, all Dolomite racks are the same.
A quick glance at the dimensions of the Dolly and the 45 makes me suspect the 45's rack is too wide.
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 8:48 am
by SprintV8
If your after a power rack
I think the Maestro Montego rack can be used
Not done this myself so worth checking dimensions first.
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 10:53 pm
by Carledo
SprintV8 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 8:48 am
If your after a power rack
I think the Maestro Montego rack can be used
Not done this myself so worth checking dimensions first.
I gather that the one that was actually used was from a LHD Montego, turned upside down (Maestros don't have power steering as standard though I have converted one with Montego bits) But that rack is rarer than rocking horse poo in the UK, it's probably a non starter.
The big problem with using a different app rack is duplicating the unusual angle between the pinion shaft and rack bar that the Dolomite employs. Most racks, the pinion shaft is at 90 degrees to the rack bar. Also, being as the rack is UNDER the sump, there's not a lot of room for a fatter PAS rack. Those 2 points are enough to justify seeking a column mounted electric solution.
Steve
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 11:14 pm
by new to this
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 11:17 pm
by new to this
SprintV8 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 8:48 am
If your after a power rack
I think the Maestro Montego rack can be used
Not done this myself so worth checking dimensions first.
maestro,montego racks are rare and dear
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 11:24 pm
by new to this
Carledo wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 10:53 pm
SprintV8 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 8:48 am
If your after a power rack
I think the Maestro Montego rack can be used
Not done this myself so worth checking dimensions first.
I gather that the one that was actually used was from a LHD Montego, turned upside down (Maestros don't have power steering as standard though I have converted one with Montego bits) But that rack is rarer than rocking horse poo in the UK, it's probably a non starter.
The big problem with using a different app rack is duplicating the unusual angle between the pinion shaft and rack bar that the Dolomite employs. Most racks, the pinion shaft is at 90 degrees to the rack bar. Also, being as the rack is UNDER the sump, there's not a lot of room for a fatter PAS rack. Those 2 points are enough to justify seeking a column mounted electric solution.
Steve
Ive just taken a punt on a rover 45 got it for £21,as you say not sure about the pinion shaft angle and the width of the rack, the electric column is my back up plan,but your end up losing some of the up and down movement from the column,as far as i can work out
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 11:29 pm
by Carledo
new to this wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 11:24 pm
Carledo wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 10:53 pm
SprintV8 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 8:48 am
If your after a power rack
I think the Maestro Montego rack can be used
Not done this myself so worth checking dimensions first.
I gather that the one that was actually used was from a LHD Montego, turned upside down (Maestros don't have power steering as standard though I have converted one with Montego bits) But that rack is rarer than rocking horse poo in the UK, it's probably a non starter.
The big problem with using a different app rack is duplicating the unusual angle between the pinion shaft and rack bar that the Dolomite employs. Most racks, the pinion shaft is at 90 degrees to the rack bar. Also, being as the rack is UNDER the sump, there's not a lot of room for a fatter PAS rack. Those 2 points are enough to justify seeking a column mounted electric solution.
Steve
Ive just taken a punt on a rover 45 got it for £21,as you say not sure about the pinion shaft angle and the width of the rack
Will you use an engine powered pump or go electric over oil like the Vauxhall Astra/Zafiras do? If engine powered, what will you do for a pulley (or space to fit it with your new belt driven water pump)
Steve
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 11:38 pm
by new to this
Carledo wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 11:29 pm
new to this wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 11:24 pm
Carledo wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 10:53 pm
I gather that the one that was actually used was from a LHD Montego, turned upside down (Maestros don't have power steering as standard though I have converted one with Montego bits) But that rack is rarer than rocking horse poo in the UK, it's probably a non starter.
The big problem with using a different app rack is duplicating the unusual angle between the pinion shaft and rack bar that the Dolomite employs. Most racks, the pinion shaft is at 90 degrees to the rack bar. Also, being as the rack is UNDER the sump, there's not a lot of room for a fatter PAS rack. Those 2 points are enough to justify seeking a column mounted electric solution.
Steve
Ive just taken a punt on a rover 45 got it for £21,as you say not sure about the pinion shaft angle and the width of the rack
Will you use an engine powered pump or go electric over oil like the Vauxhall Astra/Zafiras do? If engine powered, what will you do for a pulley (or space to fit it with your new belt driven water pump)
Steve
Ive got a mercedes A class pump electric oil,same as used on Binky Project
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2021 9:37 pm
by Carledo
new to this wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 11:38 pm
Carledo wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 11:29 pm
new to this wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 11:24 pm
Ive just taken a punt on a rover 45 got it for £21,as you say not sure about the pinion shaft angle and the width of the rack
Will you use an engine powered pump or go electric over oil like the Vauxhall Astra/Zafiras do? If engine powered, what will you do for a pulley (or space to fit it with your new belt driven water pump)
Steve
Ive got a mercedes A class pump electric oil, same as used on Binky Project
From experience you will need a BIG battery and something like 150-180 amp alternator to power it. Their only drawback is they are extremely power hungry, at least the Vauxhall one is! I've had several Vauxhalls that have displayed PAS failure or stiff steering at low revs which have turned out to be nothing to do with the PAS and everything to do with an underperforming alternator or a duff battery. I'd also recommend running a multiV belt
Don't know much about the Merc pump, the Vauxhall one runs on a variant of Citroen LHM fluid, whereas I believe the Rover rack runs on a conventional TQF. Check carefully for mismatches like this!
Steve
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2021 10:21 pm
by new to this
Carledo wrote: ↑Wed Mar 03, 2021 9:37 pm
new to this wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 11:38 pm
Carledo wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 11:29 pm
Will you use an engine powered pump or go electric over oil like the Vauxhall Astra/Zafiras do? If engine powered, what will you do for a pulley (or space to fit it with your new belt driven water pump)
Steve
Ive got a mercedes A class pump electric oil, same as used on Binky Project
From experience you will need a BIG battery and something like 150-180 amp alternator to power it. Their only drawback is they are extremely power hungry, at least the Vauxhall one is! I've had several Vauxhalls that have displayed PAS failure or stiff steering at low revs which have turned out to be nothing to do with the PAS and everything to do with an underperforming alternator or a duff battery. I'd also recommend running a multiV belt
Don't know much about the Merc pump, the Vauxhall one runs on a variant of Citroen LHM fluid, whereas I believe the Rover rack runs on a conventional TQF. Check carefully for mismatches like this!
Steve
Steve
Thanks for the info,ill check on the fluid
Dave
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2021 8:32 pm
by SprintV8
On the Merc A Class pump they did modify it a few times.
Do you have the part number on the pump at all.
Or know exactly which model it came off.
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2021 9:50 pm
by new to this
SprintV8 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 8:32 pm
On the Merc A Class pump they did modify it a few times.
Do you have the part number on the pump at all.
Or know exactly which model it came off.
Cant get to where the car is a the moment covid, the pump is inside the car,but the important bit is can i work out how to mount the rack first,if that doesnt work out, ill go to plan B,the corsa B column,but that has problems as well,id lose some of the steering column adjustment,
Dave