Swapping out second gen steering rack for first gen

M

M Darrah

Registered
Can someone confirm for me that first gens have a lower ratio (fewer turns lock to lock) steering rack? After owning this car for almost two years, I still can't get used to the steering. As I've said before, it's like steering an ocean liner.

Are there any compatibility issues between the two? Will a rack from another car such as a T-bird work?

Finally, if I get one, who wants to help me do the work? ;) It's way over my head.
 
RE: Swapping out second gen steering rack for first gen

I feel your pain man..

The 98 is all over the road and so was my 97

I went to O'reily and had them call the rebuilder rep, A-1 Cardon and he told us the difference was so small that i wouldnt feel it.

I will say this if you drain all the power steering fluid from the system via the cooler hose or remove the reservior and dump and flush it a few times the steering gets a lot better with fresh fluid,, just feels much much tighter... shocking really.

Labor to change rack on this car is a PITA from what i have heard so i just scrapped the idea.
 
RE: Swapping out second gen steering rack for first gen

Mark, I have read that before about the lower steering ratio on 1st gens. The steering on my 97 is tight, so I am not experiencing that steering an ocean liner feeling. Could something be wrong with your speed sensitive steering feature?
 
RE: Swapping out second gen steering rack for first gen

I don't really have a problem with my steering. But i do think the ratio is a little slower than my '94 was.
 
RE: Swapping out second gen steering rack for first gen

The steering sucked in my 97, the worse thing ever. I could never get used to it. One day its very heavy, one day its light. It changes depending on the surface I’m traveling on. It gets nice and tight after it comes down from a lift for about 20mins then back to unpredictable mode again. In addition, it wondered all over the road. The ratio's were definitely off.
 
RE: Swapping out second gen steering rack for first gen

The steering in my '97 is great. The only thing i don't like is that it tries to center itself when i hit a bump in a turn, so in spirited driving i have to use both hands. That might be due to excessive caster though. When i had the k-member out last year all the power steering fluid drained out of everything and was replaced with good fluid, valvoline synpower i believe. I also changed to a universal joint at the rack too. Much more precise, and it's consistent and light at low speeds with plenty of road feedback at higher speeds.

First thing i suggest is completely flushing the system. If the feel is bothering you, upgrade to the flaming river joint. Then if it still sucks, pick up a new gen 1 rack.
 
RE: Swapping out second gen steering rack for first gen

Yo sleeper,

This flaming river joint what part number ??

Or where can i get one,, i will order it today.

I hate this cars steering so much it makes me constantly dream of selling it off.. but i just cant let it go.

I have tried forever to fix this thing and its never driven right.

My steering never tries to center itself, it just wanders aimlessly from side to side in its lane... say car is drifting to right as i am tugging left, then it finally steers left and then i have to pull right... like driving a big yacht in high wind.
 
RE: Swapping out second gen steering rack for first gen

OK i called Flaming River. They stated i need the count of the splines on the rack and diameters of shaft, if anyone knows this already it will save me the headache of pulling it apart.
Thanks.
 
RE: Swapping out second gen steering rack for first gen

36 spline 3/4 inch, with 3/4 DD shaft on the other side. Should be part number 1714DD.
 
RE: Swapping out second gen steering rack for first gen

Thanks,

I am going to tighten up the K Member bolts tonight.

Anything to look for as far as rack bushings?

Dealer looked at it during lunch and they and I both feel something is moving but not sure what.

Steering wheel just wont stay centered up after an alignment.
One day cocked left next time to the right etc.. wierd and annoying as hell.
 
RE: Swapping out second gen steering rack for first gen

Mark,
Last time I had a car wander like you describe, it was a brand new T-Bird, and finally they discovered that the front wheel bearings were not torqued properly. Simple to check - may save $ in the long run.
 
RE: Swapping out second gen steering rack for first gen

I wonder how tight they should be...

Should be good because i actually recently replaced the hubs just trying to fix this issue... and with 129k on them they were due anyhow.

I busted my TQ wrench ... do you know what the TQ is?
 
RE: Swapping out second gen steering rack for first gen

Wow, talk about delayed reaction! I posted this four months ago! I'm glad someone finally answered, but unfortunately you're all reading more into it than I intended.

When I said "ocean liner", what I meant was that it takes too many turns lock to lock. Like in the movies when they turn the ship and the helmsman has to turn the wheel sixteen times until it's hard over. That's it. My '95 T-bird had a much quicker rack, and I still prefer that to this car. My parent's Crown Vic feels like it has the same ratio as my Mark. And that's unacceptable. To this day I still overshoot right turns occasionally. I want a first gen rack, but only if I can be assured that it's a tighter ratio.

With all that said, I DO have other massive problems with the front-end, but they're unrelated. See my "Front'end woes" thread for that stuff. Really it's just a matter of replacing crap until it works the way I want it, but I haven't had the time or the courage to tackle it.
 
RE: Swapping out second gen steering rack for first gen

installing a rack is a pain in the ass!! I replaced mine a few months ago. It's not a complicated job at all, it's just hard to get your hands and tools in very tight and small places. Unless your rack is loose or junk, I wouldn't bother. Wait untill it needs replacing.

If you do decide to replace it buy a new high pressure line and all the fittings while you are doing it. Wouldn't want to have to do the job again 2 a year or 2 because a line rusted out.
 
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