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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Steering rack '71 914-6
Posted by: Cairo94507 Nov 6 2011, 09:30 PM
Hello everyone,
So I occasionally see ZF steering racks mentioned on this site and others. What is it and how is it different (if it is) from the stock 914-6 steering rack? Inquiring mind (me) wants to know.
I used the search function and only came up with one mention of a ZF rack....but I am search challenged.
Thanks for the info.
Michael
Posted by: Eric_Shea Nov 6 2011, 10:13 PM
Limited slip... 
Posted by: Eric_Shea Nov 6 2011, 10:14 PM
OK, OK... basically stock.
Posted by: Richard Casto Nov 6 2011, 10:22 PM
ZF is the manufacture for the OEM stock ring and pinion steering rack. They manufacture transmission stuff as well, so that is why you may hear about ZF LSDs.
Fun fact.. ZF is a German company and "ZF" stands for "Zeppelin Foundation" !! 
Richard
Posted by: Cairo94507 Nov 7 2011, 07:44 AM
OK, so that is just a stock 914 steering rack. They sell for $1,450 rebuilt? Wow. I was wondering if it had a quicker turning ration or something.
Thanks for the information guys.
Posted by: John Jentz Nov 7 2011, 09:12 AM
OK, so that is just a stock 914 steering rack. They sell for $1,450 rebuilt? Wow. I was wondering if it had a quicker turning ration or something.
Thanks for the information guys.
No, you will find ZF's on 911's, 914 racks have a VW cast into them. They are interchangable however.
Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Nov 7 2011, 09:46 AM
ZF is the manufacture for the OEM stock ring and pinion steering rack. They manufacture transmission stuff as well, so that is why you may hear about ZF LSDs.
Fun fact.. ZF is a German company and "ZF" stands for "Zeppelin Foundation" !!
Richard
Actually, the real fun fact is that it translates as"Gear Factory" in English.
The Cap'n
Posted by: Gustl Nov 7 2011, 12:28 PM
ZF stands for Zahnrad Fabrik, what translates to Gear Factory
but ... they are owned by the Zeppelin-Stiftung, what translates to Zeppelin-Foundation
Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Nov 7 2011, 12:38 PM
Following the logic, they would call themselves "ZS", not "ZF" if the acronym meant Zeppelin Foundation. The Cap'n
Posted by: whatabout1 Nov 7 2011, 04:43 PM
Quaife used to make a quick ratio setup for the 914/911 rack.
Patrick Motorsports still lists them. $500 !
Posted by: Eric_Shea Nov 7 2011, 06:08 PM
It would stand to reason that it's a 911ish part. It follows my line of thinking regarding torsion bars, spline count and 911 a-arms.
I saw a factory video of a 911 on the assembly line where they install the front end as one complete assembly; struts and all. When 6's received what was basically the 911T front suspension, I believe it came as a basic package and they slipped the proper size torsion bars for the 914 in them. That would mean the ZF rack, 911 a-arms and all. That's why we have a very unique 914-6 17mm torsion bar.
Posted by: Richard Casto Nov 25 2011, 07:54 AM
ZF stands for Zahnrad Fabrik, what translates to Gear Factory
but ... they are owned by the Zeppelin-Stiftung, what translates to Zeppelin-Foundation
I stand corrected! You learn something new every day!Richard
Posted by: bulitt Nov 25 2011, 07:58 AM
I'd like to go for a ride in a zeppelin...helium only
Posted by: SLITS Nov 25 2011, 08:41 AM
OK, so that is just a stock 914 steering rack. They sell for $1,450 rebuilt? Wow. I was wondering if it had a quicker turning ration or something.
Thanks for the information guys.
While the racks rarely need rebuilding, the price you quoted is absurd. Last time I checked, the rebuilders would do them for about $300.
Posted by: toolguy Nov 25 2011, 10:13 AM
No real trick to doing it yourself. . I did mine when I put on the Turbo tie rods. . . nice to get fresh clean grease in it. . .
there are some adjustments and shims so take it apart carefully. . Took about 3 hours and 2 beers. . .
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Posted by: OmaPossu Nov 25 2011, 04:37 PM
Okay, that's how it looks inside. Lets see if mine looks similar 
Posted by: draganc Nov 25 2011, 11:33 PM
ZF stands for Zahnrad Fabrik, what translates to Gear Factory
but ... they are owned by the Zeppelin-Stiftung, what translates to Zeppelin-Foundation
Actually, my dad went to a training at ZF about 15 years ago and he told me that the F stands for Friedrichshafen, hence, Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen.
Interesting fact is that Lemförder is part of ZF and the Z.S.
Posted by: Lou W Nov 25 2011, 11:42 PM
My understanding ZF stood for Zappa, Frank
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Posted by: draganc Nov 26 2011, 12:59 AM
My understanding ZF stood for Zappa, Frank
Posted by: dlestep Nov 26 2011, 01:47 AM
Posted by: Cairo94507 Nov 26 2011, 08:22 AM
OK, so that is just a stock 914 steering rack. They sell for $1,450 rebuilt? Wow. I was wondering if it had a quicker turning ration or something.
Thanks for the information guys.
While the racks rarely need rebuilding, the price you quoted is absurd. Last time I checked, the rebuilders would do them for about $300.
I have seen them posted for that much. I agree that is a lot of money and that is what got me thinking it must be some special ratio or something.
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