Steering Rack for 450 SE

[Henry Harris]

Is there an alternative to the Cortina Mark IV power steering rack?

[blaineuk]

they also fitted rover sd1 racks, but the type they fitted are like hens teeth, i have a different type of sd1 raack that i am hoping to adapt tp fit on my car. can yours be rebuilt?

[pwd95]

L33 put an SD1 one in mine (getting deijavoo ere)

[Henry Harris]

Thanks for the advice on the SD1 rack.

Mine suffered a catastrophic failure and the cyclinder is badly scored.

[djc1001]

Is your current rack not a 'Supra' rather than Cortina ?

david

[Henry Harris]

I understand that it is from a Cortina Mk 4. Is there a way I can tell as there are no identifying marks?

[L33]

Steering racks.
Non power steering and you can fit a cortina Mk4 rack.

Power steering and your rack is likely to be either a Cortina Mk4 or a Rover SD1. IN EITHER CASE, THEY WILL HAVE BEEN MODIFIED AND ARE NOT STANDARD POWER STEERING RACKS YOU CAN PICK UP OF THE SHELF.
There were a few companies that modified the racks - "Supra engineering", "Burman", and "Cam gears" spring to mind. You could say they are TVR specials.

As PWD95 has already mentioned, I have previously used a Rover SD1 rack. this was not a like for like swap. The pipework for the hydraulic fluid and the trackrod arms had to be reused from the old steering rack - this appeared to be the only modification in my case, but I can't speak for all power steering racks.

Hope this helps.
L33

[Henry Harris]

Many thanks - are there any contact details for these

Edited by Henry Harris on Saturday 27th October 13:35

[L33]

Henry Harris said:

Many thanks - are there any contact details for these

Edited by Henry Harris on Saturday 27th October 13:35

No!
The engineering companies that modified the racks have since gone bust.
I got the steering rack from Dave Mac Propshafts in Coventry, West Midlands. I guess any suitable motor factor or steering rack rebuild specialists will be able to help. As for swapping the pipework, its really easy. Swapping the trackrod arms is easy once you lockate the locking / securing pin which is very well hidden under the rubber gaiter - Basically, tap the pin out to get the trackrod arm off.

[Henry Harris]

Thanks for all of that

[blaineuk]

are you in a hurry to sort this, i only ask as i will be removing my old rack from my car soon and you may be able to sort yours with parts from mine, although it does need a full rebuid including rechroming of the ram.if you can email me some pictures of yours.or if i manage to modify the rack i got from rimmer bros you could do the same as the racks are £125 which is cheaper than a rebuild.

Edited by blaineuk on Saturday 27th October 22:26

[Henry Harris]

Thanks, I'll let you know

[Henry Harris]

The latest news is that the rack appears to be a modified SD1.
In my researches I have found a couple of pleasant cooperative suppliers of older Ford spares and a TVR parts supplier which is rebuilding the original rack.
Please mail me for more details which I will supply when my rack is returned.

[Gandalf]

Henry YHM

[adam quantrill]

While rummaging in my barn for a flywheel for Leigh I noticed an old SDi PAS rack in there, all hydraulics are still on it. It's a standard SDi one so will need adapting as per above.

[Henry Harris]

Thanks Adam. I am going for the rebuild.

Some of the information I have gleaned so far, indicates that the original rack was somewhat soft in the metal that was used. The rebuild will include chroming the relevant parts to "make it last longer than the car". That's a bit unnerving.

[blaineuk]

what sort of cost have you been quoted for this?

[Haggis]

Henry Harris said:

The latest news is that the rack appears to be a modified SD1.
In my researches I have found a couple of pleasant cooperative suppliers of older Ford spares and a TVR parts supplier which is rebuilding the original rack.
Please mail me for more details which I will supply when my rack is returned.

Hi Henry, I have been lurking on here for several years and never posted before, so hello!
At the moment I am carrying out a full nut & bolt rebuild of my 350 and the only mechanical unit I am still to sort is the steering rack. I have tried several steering recon places and even my ex-TVR colleagues but to no avail, so I would be very interested to have the contact details for the company you have found if possible. Cheers

[Henry Harris]

The car is back and steers again - over three months off-the-road.

I'll put some details in this topic over the next few days.

[dickyoldchap]

These guys built my 390 PAS for £130 plus VAT ...

http://www.powersteeringspecialist.co.uk/