That's always been my question. It's just a different way of doing the same thing. Some people roll the term "rack and pinion" off their lips like it's an improvement of some sort. It's not. The Vega box has worked flawlessly for 35 years now when the components are in good shape, why change to something that ugly?
Pitman.....you mounted the rack to the axle....I am not good at all this steering geomaterominany, but something seems wrong about a movable steering gear/rack....any answers?
The biggest hang up is the fact that the rack moves and the steering column does not. There has to be some sort of slip joint type thing so everything works freely. A normal rack and pinion needs to be mounted to the axle to avoid bump steer. Not the case with the uni-steer rack.
Please, no offence Metal Man....but racks are mounted solid to the frame on the original cars, I need an explanation that makes more sence to me. Not getting it yet, sorry for my small mind.
They are mounted to the frame on cars with independent suspension. The tie rods then travel in unison with the control arms. With a solid axle, if you mount the rack to the frame,the axle travels up and down, and the short tie rods on the rack move up and down on a very small arc. Creates bumpsteer. I wish I was better at explaining myself .
Not only bumpsteer problems, but the toe in/out will change dramatically, causing some interesting handling characteristics. Picture the tie rods on a rack moving up and down....when that happens, the overall length changes, forcing unwanted movement of the steering arm on the spindle.
I just road tested my car today............. With great trepidation I installed a unitsteer on my 28 A with a 3 inch dropped axel. With the comments in this thread in mind I saw a number of ways to screw this up royally during the process. I am thrilled beyond words at how well it drives and the turning radius is fine. I can turn sharp enough to run the 16 inch tires into the wishbones and they are attached to the inside of the frame. Sharper than any of the other cars I have. (new or old) I was fully prepared to install braces, gussets, panhard bar, whatever it took but non of that will be necessary. Thanks to all you folks who took the time to point out some of the pitfalls. Regards, -Joemac
Deuce Roadster may come back and explain why he likes it over the Vega box,,he has a Vega on the roadster and a Unisteer on his coupe. HRP
It is actually difficult to explain Why do some guys prefer blondes over redheads? It is that kind of difference. Both OK ... but different. My roadster has a Vega box. I took it off a stolen, stripped and recovered Vega in 1977. It had 5 or 6 thousand miles on it ... so it was not wore out. The Uni-Steer in the 3W ... now has 10 thousand miles ( 50 thousand now on the roadster ). I guess the main difference is because of the gear ratios. The Uni-Steer seems to have a more precise feel. Both the 32's have the same suspension and tire combinations. I like the VEGA ... but I prefer the Uni-Steer
my .02. I like the unisteer product, I have a few friends that work there. They where a stock rack mfg and hired a couple engineers from Burning River. I run there stuff in my race cars, and will in my 40 when it comes time. Quality stuff. If you want to talk to a tech or engineer let me know I got his number
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