The Cavalier R&P (or equivalent) is the only junkyard center-take-off power rack & pinion I have read about so far. Unfortunately I need 7 inches of total travel instead of the Cavalier's 6". Can anyone who knows the construction of these a R&P tell me what would be possible to convert one of these for longer travel? Thanks
Dodge Intrepid also have a rack with the tie-rods in the center and according this page, they have 6 7/8 inch travel so might work for you. http://webpages.acs.ttu.edu/jikelly/Howdy Dude.htm That page also has a picture suggesting widening the rack opening on the Cavalier rack for a bit more travel but not sure how that would work out. Or maybe you could swap the steering arms for something shorter so that you still get full lock with the Cavalier rack?
I've seen people also shorten the lever arm piece at each wheel (the piece the tie rod attaches to, I forget the name, sleepy=bad vocabulary) to make the 6" travel work & give full turning radius. Increases steering effort but no matter if using power steering, or have a light car. It's a pretty critical piece so get it pro welded if possible.
Presumably (always risky), because the Intrepid (and LHS, Concorde twins) are heavier cars, the MOPAR rack is stronger too. Might be worth checking into. Ray
Thanks everyone for your input. The steer arms on my spindles are built in so changing them is not an option. Did a little checking and 93-95 Intrepid have 6.94" travel. 96 & newer have 6.995" travel which would be a perfect travel for my set up. Here's the caveat, the Intrepid r&p is evidentally set up for front steer (mount in front of spindles) so they steer opposite. 1) I need rear steer, so does anyone if the steer direction can be switched on a r&p? Thanks
Does anyone know if Chrysler sold a right hand drive version of the 93 of newer Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler Concorde, Chrylser New Yorker, or Eagle Vision overseas? If so, then their r&p may be able to be turned upside down and used on a rear steer car.
Gotta use rear steer if your spindles point towards firewall or your gonna be in huge trouble. Of course you could always drive around in reverse!
I did a lot research on this about 10 yrs ago. I ran into the same issue with a Volarie witha big block ford in it. Anyway long story short. Early '80's Toyota supra is a rear steer with 7"-7.25" of travel. I'll try to find my book and give you pt#s and specs
What sort of front end are we talking about here? Can you cut your steering arms off and replace them with bolt-on arms? The steering arms on early Ford spindles are built in originally but plenty of people cut them off and replace them with bolt-on pieces using the original backing plate holes.
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