Olli Snellman

Yes i have some progress. Most likely i am going to modify original 951 rack. Found couple of companies here in Finland which has modified ZF-made racks over 20 years. They make completely new internal parts and totally rebuild the rack. Here's newly made internal parts, you can have it with the specifications you like, but most popular ones are 2,5 and 2,7 turns from lock to lock.

Rich Sandor

Unfortunately I have only been able to find custom MANUAL rack internals. Nothing for power racks. Although I like the simplicity of the manual rack, I think power is the way to go - it's less strain on the driver after a long race.

These custom made racks look nice. What is the lock-lock ratio on our power steering 951s? Which ratio are you going with? It would be nice to compare many of the newer cars.

95ONE

Sweet. how much and will they fit in our power steering racks?
At the Autocross, I couldn't turn the wheel fast enough to keep pace with how fast I was going past the cones.... view video in previous post. I was tired and felt just like someone mentioned earlier. A Karate Expert. LOL.

944CS

Alignment has a huge effect on steering input - a better alignment means you'll be turning the wheel less. If you think you have the alignment you want and still wish for quicker steering you could use rod ends to replace the stock tie rod ends and have a custom bolt machined to also act as a spacer to bring the tie rod closer to being parallel with the ground.

Rich Sandor

Alignment will only do so much. Bump steer is a seperate issue.

As I said before, we should compare the lock-to-lock of newer cars (even some older ones) and you can see the 944 is at a disadvantage, especially in the initial 90deg of range.

tone3721

Im very interested in this. I have a couple extra racks sitting around, that need rebuilding. I rebuilt the one im using now. More responsive steering would be great. Can I get these internals in the states?

Olli Snellman

Answers to you questions:

Both manual and power versions can be made. I am going to use original 951 rack with modified internals. They will fabricate the parts seen in the picture.They will also install all new seals and gaskets, so it is also a total rebuild. I have not yet decided will i go to 2,5 or 2,7 turn version.
I have asked if they can sell just the internal parts and customer can make modification locally, it's quite expensive to send racks for example from the States to Finland for modification & rebuild. Most likely these racks (or just internal parts) can be bought in the near future from some 944 store which is Rennlist supporter. Price is still under negotiation.

anders44

finnish people are mad.

I love you olli

333pg333

Very nice Olli.

CurtP

I'd like to hear more about this. The Mk1 was known as Rabbit here in the States, wasn't it? I have access to a complete '81 Rabbit. I may have to try to get the rack, linkage and tie rods and see what else would need to be changed.

eniac

I'd love to get a 2 turn lock to lock rack myself. Really though the rack bolts up very simply so it's just a matter of finding an aftermarket rack with a close enough input shaft angle. I don't see why it would be hard to fit a cheap aftermarket one from Summit or wherever.

TonyG

Nice work Olli,

I'm also interested in a quicker rack, but never did anything about it (until now).

I'd probably go 2.5 on mine.

Please keep me posted on prices and availability.


Thanks,


TonyG

Wormhole

Where did you find the custom Manual Rack?
Thanks

Rich Sandor

Quaife makes a series of quick ratio manual racks, mostly for 911's and golfs, etc.

anders44

2,5 turn manual, with 295 up front sounds lik a nogo, I'm at the gym a lot, but still not that big