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Help please! Need quick-rack steering rack for late model MGB

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Thurlowb Avatar
Thurlowb Silver Member Brad Thurlow
Coquitlam, BC, Canada   CAN
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Trying to replace my stock steering rack on my '77 in order to get quicker steering.

I THOUGHT that Moss only sold the quicker rack versions now, but after speaking with them, they don't think that is true. They believe that the only racks they currently sell are direct replacements for the stock racks and therefore have the same steering ratio as stock. (Quick for CB cars, slower for RBBs)

Moss Europe lists the late model quick rack as "No longer available".

Anyone know of a solution to my problem?

Brad

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Gerry Avatar
Gerry Gerry Masterman
Prairieville, LA, USA   USA
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I wonder how much the steering effort goes up?

BTW, there is someone who makes racks for kit cars. Seems like one of their racks was a quicker rack based on a MGB rack. Been a few years since I stumbled on their website.

Maybe?
http://www.flamingriver.com/index.php/products/c0013/s0009/FR1512



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017-08-17 05:09 PM by Gerry.

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ohlord Avatar
ohlord Platinum Member Rob C
A tiny Island off the coast of Washington State, N.W., USA   USA
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1957 Land Rover Series I "EYEYIYI"
1957 Land Rover Series I "OVRLND"
1971 MG MGB
1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2"    & more
My
Flaming River
Lighter,quicker
But not made for rbb years.
You can always swap in an cbb crossmember and rack
Lower it at the same time.
I assume you want quicker for Solo2/autocross?



LNDRVR4X4.COM
Home of Project "INCARN8'


1957 Series 1 Land Rover electric VEHICLE CONVERSION

FIXITUPCHAP.COM
FIXITUPCHAP INCORPORATED

RD3 Radar/ Electronic Warfare Technician
VIETNAM 1969-1972


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Thurlowb Avatar
Thurlowb Silver Member Brad Thurlow
Coquitlam, BC, Canada   CAN
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Yes, I am aware that steering effort will increase. Rob has it right... I'm autocrossing and the existing steering ratio is...well...it keeps me busy!

Crossmember conversion seems like a lot of work but maybe the answer. A lot of research needed there...

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Steve64B Avatar
Steve64B Steve Opitz
Phoenix, AZ, USA   USA
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1966 MG MGB
Brad,

Quaife lists a fast rack for the MGC , but I don't know if it's compatible or if it can be modified.

https://shop.quaife.co.uk/mgc-lhd-quaife-quick-rack-and-pinion-kit-2-9

Now... changing the steering rack for something with a quicker ratio is... not allowed under the "if we don't say you can... you can't rule" So, the question is, if you're going to make changes then go big or go home.

Speedway makes a 2:1 quickener. I think what you trade off is number of turns for strength to turn the wheel.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Black-Small-Body-2-1-Steering-Quickener,138447.html?sku=91032221&utm_medium=CSEGoogle&utm_source=CSE&utm_campaign=CSEGOOGLE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkoKb1NLf1QIVBbjACh2IEAM7EAQYASABEgIJqvD_BwE

But if you front the 2:1 quickener with electric power steering... you might have the best of both worlds. Some assembly required!

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Thurlowb Avatar
Thurlowb Silver Member Brad Thurlow
Coquitlam, BC, Canada   CAN
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Woohoo! Although the quick rack has been discontinued, Moss Europe DOES have a replacement quick rack bar and matching pinion.

It will mean a bit more work, but it will get me where I want to go.

Will update on the progress...
Brad

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Thurlowb Avatar
Thurlowb Silver Member Brad Thurlow
Coquitlam, BC, Canada   CAN
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Received the rack and pinion today. While I'm very impressed that Moss Europe can deliver parts to me faster than Moss California...I am disappointed to discover that the part is not really designed for late model MGs.

As you experts know, one difference between the new/old steering pinion is the length. The other is the design of the end that connects to the U-joint. In both length and end design, this quick pinion is the older type. Whomever makes this part figures they could make a single part work for both early and late racks by supplying an additional U-joint to make up for the differences.

They also provide no instructions for how they might recommend dealing with the above. It looks like they expect to install this by having two U-joints in a row, connected by some piece they didn't give me. I may have to consider cutting this quick pinion and welding it to a piece of late model pinion to address both of the flaws in this part.

Is welding a steering pinion something that can be safely done? (By an expert)

Brad

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Ex-Calif Avatar
Ex-Calif Gold Member Dan D
Dayton, OH, USA   USA
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1968 MG MGB GT "Bart - Yellow And Naughty"
1977 MG MGB "Red Betty"
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara "Suzi Q"
2012 Jeep Liberty "Tommy The Tank"
Define "expert" - I would guess that the steering gear is hardened and heat treated.

I would not trust my life on it even in the hands of an "expert." - It's not just about making a pretty weld.



The goal - Reliable summer driver interspersed with mechanical tinkering...
Motto - "Driving fifty in the twisties..."
On Mods - It's your damn car - Do what you want. Haters gonna hate...
On SUVs - Drive your B like a soccer mom is texting her friends about how she wants to kill you...
Red Betty - http://www.mgexp.com/registry/GHN5UH418165
Bart - http://www.mgexp.com/registry/GHD4U146898G

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mgv8glen Avatar
mgv8glen Glenn Towery
Dover, DE, USA   USA
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I have the C/B ratio rack (2.5 turns lock to lock), that is a bolt in for the R/B, rebuilt, that I can supply.

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Thurlowb Avatar
Thurlowb Silver Member Brad Thurlow
Coquitlam, BC, Canada   CAN
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In reply to # 3577888 by mgv8glen I have the C/B ratio rack (2.5 turns lock to lock), that is a bolt in for the R/B, rebuilt, that I can supply.

I am interested. What is the story on this rack? How has it been modified to bolt into R/B?

Brad

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Thurlowb Avatar
Thurlowb Silver Member Brad Thurlow
Coquitlam, BC, Canada   CAN
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In reply to # 3577881 by Ex-Calif Define "expert" - I would guess that the steering gear is hardened and heat treated.

I would not trust my life on it even in the hands of an "expert." - It's not just about making a pretty weld.

Yes...I agree.

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mgv8glen Avatar
mgv8glen Glenn Towery
Dover, DE, USA   USA
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I have saved parts from British cars for over 45 years & there were some, very few 2.5 turn L to L R/B steering racks that were made & I have 4 of them!

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V8MGBV8 Avatar
V8MGBV8 Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN, USA   USA
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Another option is electric power steering.

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about 2 weeks and 2 days later...
Thurlowb Avatar
Thurlowb Silver Member Brad Thurlow
Coquitlam, BC, Canada   CAN
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In reply to # 3577980 by mgv8glen I have saved parts from British cars for over 45 years & there were some, very few 2.5 turn L to L R/B steering racks that were made & I have 4 of them!

It is installed!!!! Thanks Glen...2.5 turns lock to lock as promised. Also, having another rack and pinion to look at makes me realize that the MOSS Europe supplied quick pinion was for a RH drive car! That part was wrong on many levels. If I cared enough I would tell them.

A lot of time spent measuring to ensure my steering wheel was straight in the middle of the rack travel and that I kept my toe In unchanged..that was the most difficult part of the install. A lot of thinking about doing stuff and not actually doing anything,

I have yet to fill it with oil, so no test driving until the weekend. I'm somewhat frightened.

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mgv8glen Avatar
mgv8glen Glenn Towery
Dover, DE, USA   USA
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200CCs of oil. 90W is what the book says to use but I use 20-50 in mine.

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