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Kambo

Quick rack question

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Kambo

Sorry what I meant was I have a quick question about the steering rack :lol:

 

Got a PAS rack on a ‘89 G plate, car isn’t with me at the moment to look over but heard they have either splined/square shafts or something for the rack 

 

I’m in the process of buying a non PAS gti rack (don’t want PAS) so am I right in thinking if I also buy the other end (upper column) as well it won’t matter whether I’m buying a square/splined rack to start with? 

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jackherer

The non-PAS rack has a slower ratio than the PAS rack and a lot of people actually fit the PAS rack with the assistance removed as an upgrade. So unless you want a slower rack that's all you need to do, just remove all the hydraulic hardware and plug up the holes.

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j_turnell

The stock manual rack is a big let down in terms of lock to lock around 3.7. You'd be better off removing the ram on your pas rack 3.2 and keeping that IMO. 

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Kambo
1 hour ago, j_turnell said:

The stock manual rack is a big let down in terms of lock to lock around 3.7. You'd be better off removing the ram on your pas rack 3.2 and keeping that IMO. 

Hey James 

 

Will Mr MOT like that or is this a “grey” area...

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j_turnell

What I've done in the past is remove the ram, cut the long stud off flush and just put a small link pipe between the two unions on the rack. Didn't get any problems with MOT, depends how fussy your tester is I guess. 

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jackherer

It's debatable, I've had many 205s pass the MOT with the PAS gear missing before but I did have one tester that failed one once for that reason. My current tester insists it is fine and most wont even notice in my experience.

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Kambo
7 minutes ago, jackherer said:

It's debatable, I've had many 205s pass the MOT with the PAS gear missing before but I did have one tester that failed one once for that reason. My current tester insists it is fine and most wont even notice in my experience.

Ok, as a side question forgetting extra work involved 

 

Can you change the rack/gear part only or is that a specialist job? 

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jackherer

Quaife sell a quick rack that consists of a new rack and pinion to fit the standard steering rack assembly so it is possible but the PAS and non-PAS internals are not interchangeable.

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Kambo
24 minutes ago, jackherer said:

Quaife sell a quick rack that consists of a new rack and pinion to fit the standard steering rack assembly so it is possible but the PAS and non-PAS internals are not interchangeable.

Ok so not gonna be at the cheaper end with Quaife but 2.7 ratio is pretty good going 

 

Unless I read it wrong earlier but they only got two, splined and square but no mention of PAS/non PAS

 

My PAS housing is getting in the way of the back of the engine (V6) so if I change just the gear I’m still left with the PAS housing so am I right in thinking I would need a non PAS rack then the Quaife 

 

Or hunt for a xsara vts rack and plug up PAS as above (still has housing) 

 

Or try and find another manufacturers OEM non PAS rack with a good ratio and bolt on (obviously with mods) 

 

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jackherer

You want PAS with a quickrack ideally. Electric PAS columns are the other option if you have packaging issues.

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Kambo
12 minutes ago, jackherer said:

You want PAS with a quickrack ideally. Electric PAS columns are the other option if you have packaging issues.

Yeah I’m going EPS (thanks to Goliath’s helpful V6 build) 

 

Is another OEM rack made to fit (with mods to bracket) a no no or no different to the grey area above with plugging up the PAS?

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Kambo
45 minutes ago, jackherer said:

It should be fine from an MOT perspective but pretty much everything about a modified car is a grey area to some degree!

 

 

Technically if you change too many parts it becomes a radically altered vehicle - https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/radically-altered-vehicles

Ok thanks for your input with this, is appreciated 

 

If I do plug up the PAS I’ll also add some oil, grease, road grime and a bit of waxoyl to help aid it’s looks and obviously not to cover anything up :ph34r:

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