steering rack alignment

[rknowles74]

Hi all,

I have a Nostalgia XK120 replica, based on a 1988 XJS. Looking at my steering rack and track rod ends I see that the track rod ends are not coming straight out from the rack, but are angled slightly backwards.

Is anyone able to check on an XJS to see whether track rod ends are angled forwards or backwards from the rack when viewed from below (or above) please?

I believe that my rack is slightly further forwards than is usual on the XJS, hence the angle. However Ive also been led to believe that this will alter the ackerman angle, and therefore the agility of the car going around bends. If someone can check the original layout that will help me figure out if I need to do anything about it.

The picture above shows what I mean, you can just make out that the track rod end is not straight in line with the rack, but is angled off to the left.

Thanks!
Richard

[davidr]

Hi Richard - does your car use the entire front subframe from the XJS and has I been altered in any way? If the subframe has not been modified then the mounting points for the steering rack and front hubs will be the same and angles should not have altered? Are you using the standard steering arms?

[ptjs1]

David,

That's not a standard XJS subframe in that photo.

Richard,

If I can get to my car today, I'll try and take a pic for you.

Paul

[rknowles74]

Paul is correct, the car does not use the original subframe - it is a bespoke built chassis that includes mounting points for the suspension and steering components. I have a build thread in the Replicas section on this forum if you are interested

A picture of a standard car would be very useful for comparison though. I have a feeling the steering rack would benefit from being moved backwards, however then the engine mounts would foul the steering column.

Thanks
Richard