Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums  

Steering rack and pinion compatibility

November 22, 2014, 11:08:37 PM

I'm swapping out my steering pump and lines and removing the lines off the rack is proving to be a small challenge
I've slid the rack forward a bit but it looks like the rack needs to be off completely to remove the lines
 
Anyways my pump was leaking, as far as I know my rack isn't leaking and works just fine (2.5 turn rack) but I'm contemplating replacing it as well
I got a hold of a guy in town that is parting out a 2000 mustang gt because it burned lol
Will the rack off this car work? It's also a 2.5 turn rack isn't it? 30 bucks with me taking it off sounds reasonable

I've priced some out at work and here's what I gathered (all reman units)
87 Tbird tc rack (2.5 turn rack) $80
92 mustang rack available in 2.3, 2.5, and 3.0 turn $50-$80

The 2.3 turn rack really peaked my interest but what should I go with or should I just keep my current rack
I've heard the sn95 units are better so that's why I'm thinking about the one on the 2000 mustang

Tie rods are not an issue as I'm already running sn95 spindles and inner n outer tie rods

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Steering rack and pinion compatibility

Reply #1 – November 23, 2014, 12:44:42 AM

The racks themselves are the same, but the SN95 have metric threaded inner rods, Fox inners are SAE. Might not be an issue if you're going to use your SN95 tie rods though..

The SN95 racks take a different steering shaft, maybe...might want to google for more specific info.

One thing though, if you go to the quicker ratio rack, swap in a pump to match...otherwise, you *could* get binding under heavy cornering.

Some guys will swear it's a non issue, but others will tell you it can and will happen. If your car is a TC, you'll already have the quick ratio pump and rack, so just grab a 5.0 Fox rack, Tbird Sport/Cougar XR7, etc.

Good to go.

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Steering rack and pinion compatibility

Reply #2 – November 23, 2014, 12:53:47 AM

The steering shaft is different. Supposedly the valving and feel of certain racks (2003-4 cobra) are better.

I personally plan on gutting a stock rack ala flying miata style and welding the main shaft.

Supposedly all 87-88 cars had the 15:1 rack, but lots of people say they've pulled 20:1 racks from those cars. The turbo coupes, xr7's and mustang gt racks for foxes should all be the 15:1 ratio and would be a bolt in affair.

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Steering rack and pinion compatibility

Reply #3 – November 23, 2014, 02:31:17 PM

The '88 V6 cars had 20:1...I had two of them.

Makes a big difference, when you turn the wheel, and the car rotates, instead of just burning your arm out, turning, turning, and turning that steering wheel 43 times.. LOL

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Steering rack and pinion compatibility

Reply #4 – November 23, 2014, 08:33:08 PM

​Yep, the steering shaft on the 2000 stangs has 3 flat sides. You might be able to use just the bottom part of the rag joint from the stang to make it work.

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Steering rack and pinion compatibility

Reply #5 – November 23, 2014, 10:13:52 PM

The search function is your best buddy on any forum.  There are several threads on this subject but this one was pretty good:

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?30351

Darren

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