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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Is anybody running one of these?
Posted by: jjackson Apr 8 2011, 09:09 PM
Bought a Quaiffe steering rack gear that quickens steering compared to stock.Has anybody installed one?If so, where did you get replacement seals or how did you remove old ones without damage.The part matches the pinion gear and has fewer teeth.This ia not a steering quickener that is added on shafts-never driven a car with these type units that had proper feel or feedback through the steering wheel.Have never driven a teener with either type.The capability of our car with its current setup, is CRAZY fast through slaloms and offsets.JJackson
Posted by: jjackson Apr 9 2011, 09:58 AM
Help! Who rebuilt your steering rack? This replacement part makes the rack 2.5 turns lock to lock with absolutely minimum increase in steering resistance.Anyboby?JJackson
Posted by: SLITS Apr 9 2011, 10:09 AM
I have never heard of the product, but I thought you would like at least one post answer.
All the rebuilders we sell to just remanufacture the stock rack.
Posted by: pcar916 Apr 9 2011, 10:23 AM
Hi J,
Take a look at this exploded drawing.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/914/Parts/Front_axle/steering_rack_big.htm
The parts at the end of the rack, especially the "Bearing/Bushing" must have a seal built into it. If the Quaife rack has the same dimensions (od) it'll work like the original. They may be pressed in. I haven't replaced one.
If it were me I'd build up another rack from a donor car. Maybe Henry C. or the guys at PP have one, or get one from Rich Bontempi at High Performance House in Redwood City CA.
That way you can just swap racks after removing the old one.
Call me if you have questions.
Ron
Posted by: jjackson Apr 9 2011, 12:37 PM
Ron,Thanks for the exploded picture.Looking for source on #7,#14,19, and 20 before we destroy donor rack-we have several donors-just wanted to find source for parts.Saw a recent post selling rebuilt rack-was very surprised at current value of racks.Hoping to find some experience out there with this.Trying to get information before were the guinea pig running the wheel.JJackson
Posted by: pcar916 Apr 9 2011, 02:18 PM
Here's a link to the most up to date PET catalogs online at Porsche.
http://www.porsche.com/usa/accessoriesandservices/porscheservice/originalparts/originalpartscatalogue/
Punch in the year of your car and find the rack. The parts explosion will have the part numbers as well. Then you can call Sunset with them or give the numbers to the PP guys since their pricing may be better than Sunset.
Good Luck!
Ron
Posted by: jjackson Apr 9 2011, 02:31 PM
Thanks Ron! Will not be so nervous when destroying the originals.How big of a hammer do ya think I need?JJackson
Posted by: pcar916 Apr 9 2011, 06:19 PM
Maybe not too big. 
Those internal circlips can be a pain though and it's not uncommon to tear up the boss getting them out if you're not careful.
I don't see any seals or o-rings on the inside or outside of the bearings. But it is a greased rack rather than holding back liquid, and the boots will keep the dust out. I've never taken one apart but the bearings are either a slip fit or have to be pressed in and out. Regardless, you have access to plenty of presses around here fi you don't have one.
Technically, if the bearings are in good shape you may only have to get one out anyway, unless the new rack and pinion set comes with new bearings... which I didn't notice on their website.
Good luck!
Posted by: jjackson Apr 9 2011, 08:43 PM
Have had the part for over a year now.Took a while to get the rest of the car suspension handling the way we wanted it.Am I out on a limb here?I would have thought that there would be more interest out there.(Glad that we did not make such a highly desired-often sold out part)JJackson 
Posted by: jjackson Apr 10 2011, 04:00 PM
Okay, I'm the only one that thinks the steering should be slightly quicker when the car is handling the way that we want.I'm feeling a little bit like Rory M trying to stay on the front page.JJackson 
Posted by: URY914 Apr 10 2011, 04:08 PM
Here's a tip when posting... put the subject of the thread in the topic title. "Quaiffe steering rack question" would have brought in a lot more viewers to your thread. Just a friendly tip from guy with a few posts under his avatar. 
Posted by: elmonte Apr 11 2011, 01:30 PM
Very interested in this modification, always felt the steering should be a touch quicker.Not a cheap solution,but seems straight forward. Here's a few old Pelican threads on the steering rack rebuild that deals with pinion shaft bearing and rack replacement.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/85404-steering-rack-rebuild-procedure.html#post3096686
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/224112-sc-steering-rack-diy-bearing-replace.html
If and when you give it a go, please post a thread on it.
Cheers
Posted by: jjackson Apr 11 2011, 09:35 PM
Very interested in this modification, always felt the steering should be a touch quicker.Not a cheap solution,but seems straight forward. Here's a few old Pelican threads on the steering rack rebuild that deals with pinion shaft bearing and rack replacement.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/85404-steering-rack-rebuild-procedure.html#post3096686
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/224112-sc-steering-rack-diy-bearing-replace.html
If and when you give it a go, please post a thread on it.
Cheers
Thanks for the info.Planning on installing between Pro Solo in Blytheville and the National Tour in June.Have a third child due during that time frame also-so it might be wishful thinking.Will post info on install.Thanks again-JJackson
Posted by: yeahmag Apr 11 2011, 11:11 PM
Very interested. Is there a link to the part?
Posted by: SirAndy Apr 11 2011, 11:33 PM
The cheapest solution for that (free) is to adjust the toe.
Run 1mm toe out in the front and 1mm toe in in the rear and then come back and tell me you still need "quicker" steering response ...
But, of course there's always a expensive high tech solution for any given problem.
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Posted by: yeahmag Apr 11 2011, 11:42 PM
My issue is more in tight turns. I need more input than I can make without my hands leaving the wheel.
Posted by: SirAndy Apr 11 2011, 11:47 PM
My hands leave the wheel all the time.In tight turns i reposition my hand at least once or twice.
Coming out of them sliding i actually let go on purpose as to not add too much input, otherwise you can overcompensate when you regain grip and the car goes into a spin.
The way i was taught is to have "light" hands and let the car do most of the steering. Has worked for me so far.
But, i understand that comes down to personal preference more than anything ...
Posted by: elmonte Apr 12 2011, 05:59 PM
Very interested. Is there a link to the part?
Here it is
http://www.quaife.co.uk/shop/products/qsf3q001-2
Posted by: elmonte Apr 12 2011, 06:10 PM
The cheapest solution for that (free) is to adjust the toe.
Run 1mm toe out in the front and 1mm toe in in the rear and then come back and tell me you still need "quicker" steering response ...
But, of course there's always a expensive high tech solution for any given problem.
What i meant by quicker steering is what Yeahmag said about less input with the steering wheel. Toe out just makes it too darty on the street.
Cheers
Posted by: jmill Apr 12 2011, 07:09 PM
But, of course there's always a expensive high tech solution for any given problem.
The guys at Sharper Image take that statement to the bank.
I like carbs so consider me low tech. I just use more throttle. I need it a bit loose to get my groove on.
Posted by: J P Stein Apr 13 2011, 02:18 AM
I have felt the need/wish for fewer turns L to L. Single cone 180s were a bit of a problem. They didn't come up but once a year or so. Practice & set up was lacking....as the driver/builder that pretty well defines the onus for a fix.
Those days have passed and I never thought about it again till now.
jj: frankly, I look at your car & see the problem based on my past experience....unless you know something I don't. Here's a pic of my car as I ran it for one season....just one.
Attached thumbnail(s)
Posted by: jjackson Apr 13 2011, 08:07 AM
But, of course there's always a expensive high tech solution for any given problem.
The guys at Sharper Image take that statement to the bank.
I like carbs so consider me low tech. I just use more throttle. I need it a bit loose to get my groove on.
Have run multiple toe settings in front and rear during the testing and setup of this and previous car.Never liked more than an 1/8 " total toe out in front.Too darty in agressive entry on most surfaces.In the development of car-a couple hundred bucks did not seem like an expensive upgrade.Will spend more than that in gas at the next national level event.
Posted by: Joe Ricard Apr 13 2011, 09:41 AM
JJ congrats on the inbound new youngin.
Got to see your car in B-ville NT last year. If I remember you said you had just finished building it up. Missed you at Nationals last year, too busy fussing with my kart.
I agree a quicker steering rack would be cool. I would not think it would need grease seals for an AX car if you have boots on each end.
My biggest issue was getting all the slop out of the shaft u-joints on my car. Also replaced the rubber POS spacer with a piece of polyethelene (cutting board). took lots of numbness out and also fixed the shaft length issue created by the bump steer bushings under the rack.
Posted by: jjackson Apr 13 2011, 11:31 AM
JJ congrats on the inbound new youngin.
Got to see your car in B-ville NT last year. If I remember you said you had just finished building it up. Missed you at Nationals last year, too busy fussing with my kart.
I agree a quicker steering rack would be cool. I would not think it would need grease seals for an AX car if you have boots on each end.
My biggest issue was getting all the slop out of the shaft u-joints on my car. Also replaced the rubber POS spacer with a piece of polyethelene (cutting board). took lots of numbness out and also fixed the shaft length issue created by the bump steer bushings under the rack.
Thanks Joe-car really changed drastically from spring to fall last year.Look forward to seeing you this year.Always looking for more speed.Did I mention that currently it is the best 914 I've ever driven.Steve and Rick (Perfection Plus) have really gotten this car up to speed. Just trying to catch (and pass) that John Thomas Z car.JJackson
Posted by: Joe Ricard Apr 13 2011, 11:54 AM
Well Eventually JT will be old like you and me.
Posted by: wobbletop Apr 13 2011, 12:32 PM
You could try shortening the tierod attachment point on the strut.
Perrin is making something like this for Subarus instead of messing with the steering rack.
For sure would require some careful planning to get the geometry right.
And +1 for changing the thread title.
Posted by: Joe Ricard Apr 14 2011, 02:54 PM
I barely understand ackermann but doesn't that really mess things up? Like significantly? Changing the spindle arm length? Hmm. I will pass.
Posted by: wobbletop Apr 14 2011, 03:59 PM
More info on the Perrin system
http://www.perrinperformance.com/pages/show/241
Posted by: yeahmag Apr 14 2011, 04:10 PM
That is cool!
Posted by: jjackson Apr 14 2011, 04:49 PM
Thats why I wanted the gear replacement for this mod-Looked at several possibilities and have driven several cars with quickeners that go in the middle of shafts-Did not like the feel.Not a good enough of an engineer to make that change-will consider it if Quaife gear sucks-JJackson
I barely understand ackermann but doesn't that really mess things up? Like significantly? Changing the spindle arm length? Hmm. I will pass.
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