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I am restoring my Mk 2 3.8 (LHD) and am considering converting to rack and pinion steering. Does anybody have any experience or recommendations on this topic?

Hello John,

I have seen conversion kits sold but didn't fancy the power assistance. I'm sure someone must have done it though.

I would be interested in the high ratio steering box that used to be available. I haven't seen one advertised for some time now.

Alec

Although it's a great idea in principle, putting a steering rack on a Mark 2 is going to cause issues - the worst of these typically being radical tyre wear, because it's not possible to get the geometry correct as the steering tends to toe-out too much when cornering. You might be able to make this tolerable by stiffening the front suspension (changing anti-roll bar and / or front springs) but doing so will be at the cost of ride quality.


Regards,

Peter Bell

Hello Peter,

is this because the rack cannot easily be installed at the correct line. The toe out when turning is normally a factor of the steering arm angle, but I suppose if the rack is too far forward or backwards this would compromise the geometry. I have seen them advertised, however, but forget by whom?

Alec

Hi Alec

yes, it's to do with the positioning and length of the rack. Bump-steer can sometimes be a problem, but the tracking on rack-equipped Mark 2s seems to alter quite a lot depending on whether the the car is laden (e.g. 4 passengers) or empty.

Hi Everybody,
I don't understand these problems everybody seems to have with converting to rack & pinion.
I changed mine about 10 years ago and only had wear until I had adjusted the steering arms which is easy.
I would also recommend that you change to modern tyres such as HANKOOK centum (only £45 each) this cuts out noise, wear and much better ride.
I've had my MK2 since 1986 and made many changes to make it more drivable in modern conditions.

Peter K.

I don't understand these problems everybody seems to have with converting to rack & pinion

I know the purists frown on this and warn of all sorts of doom and gloom.

However, I bought a Vicarage kit from SNG Barratt's many years ago - probably 10 or 15 and have had no tyre wear whatsoever. In fact I may soon have to change the tyres based on age rather than wear as I have probably only done 10000 miles on them.

The only problem I had was that with the original steering wheel the normal inputs caused the steering to react a little more quickly. I changed the steering wheel for a smaller diameter wood rimmed wheel and this solved the problem.

If there is any change in the steering geometry it doesn't appear to have affected either the handling or tyre wear on my 240. I don't do much more than 2000 miles per year so whether it would be different on higher mileage cars I cant say.