Unisteer Rack Problems

[Phillip_L]

This may be an isolated case and others may have had great luck with this kit, but this is my experience.


I ordered the power Unisteer kit for my 1969 Camaro. It has been one problem after another. It all started with shipping. The kit arrives and the UPS guy hands me a hand full of parts. I take the kit and figure out I am missing one of the outer nuts. I call Unisteer to get another nut. A few days later, a normal letter envelope from Unisteer comes to my house with a hole it (No nut). I am still waiting on the second replacement nut.

I finally start the install and remove the factory Grade 8 lower control arm bolts and notice the kit comes with longer Grade 5 bolts. So I am putting more load on a bolt and going down in quality. That makes no since. On a $1,000 kit, how much would it have added to use Grade 8 bolts?

I continue with the install the rack and it is hitting the oil pan (This is my fault because the oil pan sits so low). I call tech support several times for suggestions and emailed pictures. I got zero response from Unisteer (No calls back, no emails). Well, I finally got rack to fit on my own.

Now I notice the bolt holes in the rack do not line up with the lower control arm bolts. The bolts appear to be at a slight angle, so I back them out so they are barely poking through. No way in hell that is going to work. I then take apart the rack and drill out the mounting plate (that is supposed to be made for this car).

Now for the hoses: The instructions just say to put a 6AN fitting on the stock hoses. Without thinking, I do so. There is no way they are going to reach. I guess I should have done a little more checking on my side. I now getting a second set made that will work.

Now to the steering shaft: The steering shaft is generic and not pre-cut. They could at least tell you how long to cut the shaft in the instructions. After installing and removing rack several times, I figure out a length. I cut the shaft, drill, and pin it. Now every half turn of the steering wheel, it binds. So either something is wrong with the shaft on I cut it too short. Technical support was more helpful this time. We are going with a 3 joint setup. They gave me a small discount on the parts. We will see how it goes.

If you going to go with a rear steer rack and pinion, I have one word for you: Steeroids

I have not installed there kit before, but it has to be better than this. From what I understand, they use grade 8 hardware, the steering shaft is already cut, and they send you new hoses already made.

[paul67]

There seems to be bumper steer isues with the steeriods rack
? from what Ive read.
paul67

[paul67]

Also have you measured the bolt hole gap at the front of the lower cross member they might have sent 1 for a front steer car?
paul67, just thought

[David Pozzi]

I've heard of universal binding on the Steeroids rack, also header and oil pan problems depending on the engine, headers, and pan used.