As promised to @Dicky and @baybirmingham, photo's of my rack and pinion setup. Vauxhall cavalier manual steering rack VW t25 Steering bevel box VW Golf Mk3 complete steering column including universal joints to steering rack x2 Fabbed bracket to connect tie rods to steering rack. I incorporated a butchered steering arm supplied by @mattp Bracket using existing steering box holes to fix bevel box (6 mm steel plate) Fabbed bracket connected to existing 'doughnut/rag joint' welded to Mk3 Golf steering column cut, fitted to mk3 golf uj x2 cut in half and welded together! brackets welded on beam Rack connected to Bevel box Tie rods connected, job done!
Top job Howard...Guess who's going to get inundated with PMs about making brackets? How does it feel/drive? Also, did you investigate the possibility of replacing the rubber coupling? Seems like the only weak link....mind you, they've been doing the job on old buses for donkey's, so must assume they're more than up to it....suppose it reduces initial torque pretty sure there's potential for doing kits....if you're that way inclined
Wow! I read your posts Howard and wouldn't have guessed you're up to this sort of thing on the quiet... Looks very good, but 2 things from a quick glance: When you hit a bump it looks like the ARB would hit the linkage? The T25 box/bracket fitting - 2 bolts only in one plane? I guess this is how the T25 box also fitted to a T25?
Thanks @vanorak,@zed, it feels light and very responsive although I need to get the tracking set up again at some point. I've only been able test it around the block a few times( twisty turny country roads) as my M.O.T is out! I decided to keep the original rubber coupling to absorb any vibration or 'kick' as the T25 has a rubber coupling on both sides of the bevel box,one from the steering column and one to the rack. The photo of the ARB is a little misleading zed,as there is quite a bit of distance between them, saying that, there may be an issue if off roading or 'dune jumping' when the suspension is at full travel! The bevel box on the T25 is supported on both sides I think, so I will at some point adapt the support to be on the safe side but it is at present very solid.
I can't help feeling it's liable to take a whack hanging down there. Did you look at mounting it through the beam?
I've only ever seen conversions that still use the idler arm and ball joints - they replace the steering box with the one-ended steering rack from a Bedford Rascal. I have to say that does look better in that it eliminates all the ball joints, but I think Zed is right about putting it through the beam to keep it out of harms way, although anyone with a brake servo is going to have some issues with that because they might have issues getting around the servo.
Went for a test drive with Howard and it was great! Thought there might be a problem thinking it was low too but it think the pic makes it look a bit lower than it actually is Zed. Tracking/ camber was slightly out from what I remember but it drove like a dream and the steering was so much better!
That will be the mk2 version!! I did look at coming through the beam but although I have no servo there is a huge bracket in the way. I would also have had to mount the rack further back and onto the chassis which I didn't want as if it didn't work I could revert to the old setup without too many visible scars!
You guys aren't picking holes, you're giving me constructive useful views based on your superior knowledge and experience and the desire to make something a little better! .....Thanks all.
I know the red 9 rack had issues using the type 25 bevel box and it hanging down too low , although if you don't go low it should be fine ,looks good
