Has anyone converted to a rack and pinion steering set-up. Is there a kit
available?
Thanx-Bill D.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Has anyone converted to a rack and pinion steering set-up. Is there a kit
available?
Thanx-Bill D.
available?
Thanx-Bill D.
I think George has a rack and pinion setup on his IM, possibly he can email pictures...
My IM was built with non-power assist rack and pinion; it's a Passat unit. Whatever mounts were necessary were fabricated during the build.
I tried this conversion this summer using a 911 rack, 930 tie rod ends and a 911 sterring column. I have a 66 912 so I took measurements from it to get the geometry right. Then I took out the beam and fabricated mounts for the rack just like the ones on my 912.
Everything bolted up okay...the tie rods ends are the same size as the ones on my car. I then cut out a hole in the center of the foot well as the 911 rack is centered unlike the VW unit which is in front of the driver.
The 911 column has 2 U joints to bring the column over to the driver's side (actually it can go either left or right hand drive). I used a 911 steering column, cut off the existing brackets and welded on a new one to bolt up to where the top of the VW column was attached.
When it was all done it did work but the steering wheel was wobbly. The VW column is supported at the top and bottom while the 911 column (as I installed) it was only supported at the top. I thought the bracket I made up would stablize it but it didn't...at least not to my liking. I ended up taking it all out and putting back in the VW unit...it was mid August and I hadn't driven my car yet in 2002!
It can be done and I don't think it would be all that difficult but I'm having second thoughts as to what you would gain. I replaced the ball joints on my car at the same time and that really tightened up the steering. I still have all the parts....911 rack, new 930 turbo tie rods, U jointed steering column and I may tackle it again next year or I may just sell the stuff on Ebay.
Everything bolted up okay...the tie rods ends are the same size as the ones on my car. I then cut out a hole in the center of the foot well as the 911 rack is centered unlike the VW unit which is in front of the driver.
The 911 column has 2 U joints to bring the column over to the driver's side (actually it can go either left or right hand drive). I used a 911 steering column, cut off the existing brackets and welded on a new one to bolt up to where the top of the VW column was attached.
When it was all done it did work but the steering wheel was wobbly. The VW column is supported at the top and bottom while the 911 column (as I installed) it was only supported at the top. I thought the bracket I made up would stablize it but it didn't...at least not to my liking. I ended up taking it all out and putting back in the VW unit...it was mid August and I hadn't driven my car yet in 2002!
It can be done and I don't think it would be all that difficult but I'm having second thoughts as to what you would gain. I replaced the ball joints on my car at the same time and that really tightened up the steering. I still have all the parts....911 rack, new 930 turbo tie rods, U jointed steering column and I may tackle it again next year or I may just sell the stuff on Ebay.
A speedster, as in any rear engine/drive car is a very nimble design. The front end is very light in these cars. The ball and pinion setup in a beetle is a pretty good unit. When properly adjusted and maintained, these units are as responsive as many rack units I have driven. Due to the ease of changing direction in these cars, a steering rack is a pure luxury item.
Rack and Pinion steering is almost a necessary item in a front heavy car. The added leverage and smooth movement adds a great deal of feel and contol. Some cars were made with insane ball and pinion units. An old Gremlin a friend had comes to mind. About 7 turns lock to lock.
I just never felt that my beetle was lacking in that way. I owned a Renault R10 (also designed by Porsche) with a rack. The improvement a rack could bring is not worth the work (unless the parts were free and you have way too much time).
Rack and Pinion steering is almost a necessary item in a front heavy car. The added leverage and smooth movement adds a great deal of feel and contol. Some cars were made with insane ball and pinion units. An old Gremlin a friend had comes to mind. About 7 turns lock to lock.
I just never felt that my beetle was lacking in that way. I owned a Renault R10 (also designed by Porsche) with a rack. The improvement a rack could bring is not worth the work (unless the parts were free and you have way too much time).
I've driven replicas with stock VW steering and prefer the positive feel and feedback of the R/P unit. My R/P became a necessary option when the stock unit wouldn't fit when the trunk was modified for a full sized 195/65x15" spare tire in the original position, but I'm glad it worked out that way.
At IM henry offers power assisted R/P steering as an option and my non-assisted unit probably has the same mounts. You could write Henry and ask for mounting details.
(Message Edited 9/20/2002 3:17:41 PM)
At IM henry offers power assisted R/P steering as an option and my non-assisted unit probably has the same mounts. You could write Henry and ask for mounting details.
(Message Edited 9/20/2002 3:17:41 PM)
Brian I would not give up on the Idea, you just need to design a bar that will bolt from one side of the front chassey to the other side right under the fuel tank with a mount for the base of the colum .Sounds like you almost had it licked