Rack & Pinion...who has it...you like it??

[72RS]

Considering a power rack and pinion for my 72 Camaro. Curious who here has installed one and if your glad that you did.



I have an AGR 12:1 now but the car still wanders around a little bit going down the road.Thought a rack would eliminate that.

[dontlifttoshift]

If the car wanders, you need an alignment or you have loose or worn out parts in the suspension. A rack will not cure that.

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

^This. It seems before like over a decade, a rack was the all important thing everyone had to do. Now that I've been on here more, it seems like there's less emphasis on a conversion, with many companies running just a newer style box. I know once MCB is able to get more DSE boxes ordered, I'll be on that list.

[yellow1098Greg]

I also wondered the difference in real world feel between a rack and the newer boxes as well.

[72RS]

If the car wanders, you need an alignment or you have loose or worn out parts in the suspension. A rack will not cure that.

car was just aligned and all Moog front end parts have less than 2000 miles on them. Wander is probably not the right term..steering just has some slop in the wheel in the center position.

[72RS]

^This. It seems before like over a decade, a rack was the all important thing everyone had to do. Now that I've been on here more, it seems like there's less emphasis on a conversion, with many companies running just a newer style box. I know once MCB is able to get more DSE boxes ordered, I'll be on that list.

I am going to go with the Detroit Speed 600 steering box...After talking to them today I feel that is the way to go. Probably be September till them have them though.

[kochevy67]

I have a rack on my Chevelle, I am not very impressed with it either. I probably will switch to a DSE box or something similar.

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

It's September now on the box? Dang, last I heard it was July. Oh well, at least I don't actually need it for a long time.

[72RS]

It's September now on the box? Dang, last I heard it was July. Oh well, at least I don't actually need it for a long time.

yep they told me late August they should start coming in but there is already some back orders to fill. Looks like this will be a winter project for me

[MuscleRodz]

Definitely don't go rack. The way they are mounted is not ideal IMO. Since DSE boxes are so far out, check your AGR box for slack in the gearbox and check your alignment. If you have stock alignment a litte more aggressive caster and camber can help the wandering and road feel.

[BonzoHansen]

car was just aligned and all Moog front end parts have less than 2000 miles on them. Wander is probably not the right term..steering just has some slop in the wheel in the center position.

How's the rag joint?

[nats68]

I have a 1968 Camaro and was dead set on putting a rack in. I changed my mind and had the stock box rebuilt by Lee Mfg.
Put faster ratio gears in and it's very tight and feels great. No wandering at all. Exceeded my expectations.
It didn't hurt that Lee's is local so I didn't have to ship the box.

[72RS]

How's the rag joint?

No rag joint Scott.. I have a polished Flaming River universal joint on there.

[another69]

Well I am alone here but I love my rack. One of the best parts I bought. To be fair I went from a worn out box to the rack, but I see no downside. As a plus the weight distribution is improved.

[mean buzzen half dozen]

I wanted more room in my engine compartment, turbo & downpipe was too close to the steering box.

Stock box



Rack installed:






Plus I wanted to loose some weight.

[another69]

These cars tend to be heavy on the front driver's side anyway, and getting rid of the steering box helps with that. Mine also reinforces the subframe between the lower A arm mounts. The clearance is much better.

[pitts64]

72 Camaro, no way would I remove that excellent steering gear for a rack... Read the Ron Sutton sticky above, find the king pin inclination and add 1 to 3 degrees more positive caster....

Also, learn how to do your own alignments and how to tune your cars suspension..

I transformed my car by adding 8 degrees positive caster to it... It was a lot of work but well worth it..

[David Pozzi]

Anyone with a steering box should do a lash adjustment from time to time. Around every 2 years if it's autocrossed & street driven much.

[72RS]

Ok, here is what my steering does.Car drive very straight..no issues. When I am driving and putting no left or right into the wheel all is good, if I turn the wheel to the left there is no play in the steering and get instant feedback in the steering. If I turn the wheel to the right there is quite a bit of freeplay before the steering engages. Any clue what could cause that?

[iadr]

Couple thoughts- this should not be the case on a newest name brand box, but it can be on used but decent OE boxes- if the box is set up "off center", by that I mean everything is assembled so that the steering wheel "should be" off center but someone hacked it in it close enough by playing with the tie rods. You will get looseness. Boxes aren't as tight off center, as on center.

Are you sure your car's alignment isn't pulling/biased one to the right and motion to the left feels better because you are already "tensioned" to that side?

Try to have an experienced builder or alignment shop (find out if there are autocrossers in your area and who aligns their cars even if they are Subaru's or Miatas or whatever!) test drive your car (safely, & with you in the passengers seat!)