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Technical Cavalier Power Rack & Pinion Question

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Root66, Apr 24, 2017.

  1. Root66
    Joined: Oct 6, 2008
    Posts: 93

    Root66
    Member
    from Norcal

    A friend of mine, who's pretty knowledgeable, claims that the rack inside the unit isn't perfectly flat...that it actually has a peak at the center of its travel and that this peak is slightly off center.

    When I installed my rack I measured the turns lock-to-lock, found half way between the locks and installed it with the wheels pointing forward. He claims this is the wrong way to install it, that when installed in the Cavalier there was more travel in one direction than the other and straight ahead should be at the peak of the rack not at the center of its travel.

    Any comments?
     
  2. choptop40
    Joined: Dec 23, 2009
    Posts: 5,752

    choptop40
    Member

    May have something to do with Ackerman , although I doubt it...intesting question as I had considered this install in late 40s early 50s mopars as kits are available...
     
  3. chevy57dude
    Joined: Dec 10, 2007
    Posts: 9,785

    chevy57dude
    Member

    That sound wrong. IIRC , the CCI rack kit for Tri fives centers the travel. Why would it be any different? Are there steering stops built into the system?
     
    mgtstumpy likes this.
  4. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,569

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Does he have any of what he is smoking to share?
     
    mgtstumpy likes this.
  5. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,279

    mgtstumpy
    Member

    By not having the main shaft centred and biased to one side or the other, the entire front end steering geometry would be compromised IMHO with the suspension moving in different arcs to the R&P and not as designed. The pinion gear meshes with rack shaft and may be shimmed for adjustment so I can't imagine the main shaft having too much crown either. I've done a few R&P conversions and always centred the rack body and rack shaft so that pivot points of the arms are where they were in OEM configuration as well as maintaining Ackerman. What is your installation, front or rear and in what body? Are you happy with the way your car drives and steers with your set up?
     
  6. 41 C28
    Joined: Dec 17, 2005
    Posts: 1,772

    41 C28
    Member

    I installed a Cavalier R & P in my 48 Dodge as you described and it works fine for me.
     
  7. RICK R 44
    Joined: Dec 13, 2009
    Posts: 475

    RICK R 44
    Member

    Installed the one in my shoebox the same as root66. Seems to work fine, have about 20000 miles on it, no problems
     

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