Steering Rack

PostPost by: vstibbard » Sun Jan 16, 2022 12:40 am

I have some spare racks and from a visual inspection of the racks, they are same for left and right hand drive with different tubes and pinions.
Am I right?
Vaughan
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PostPost by: Elan45 » Sun Jan 16, 2022 5:27 am

I don't think so Vaughan. I have a RHD rack assembly back home that I have kept, because the single seater racks are made from the RHD version. I believe the type 14 Elite flips the rack over so a RHD Elan rack is same as a LHD Elite rack. I have a collection of LHD Elan racks I was going tot supply to a friend who took a couple of LHD Elites to Australia but is now coping w/ health issues.

Roger
'67 Elan S3 SS DHC
'67 Elan FHC pre-airflow
'67 Elan S3 SE upgrade to 26R by Original owner
'58 Eleven S2 (ex-works)
'62 20/22 FJ (ex-Yamura)
'70 Elan +2S RHD
'61 20 FJ project
'76 Modus M1 F3
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PostPost by: vstibbard » Sun Jan 16, 2022 11:01 am

Thanks Roger
When I compare the racks gears they appear identical other than on opposite ends of the rack, I’m thinking of trying to end for end a left hades rack and assemble it in rhd bidy and pinion.
I’ll report back.
Cheers
Vaughan
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PostPost by: SENC » Sun Jan 16, 2022 1:57 pm

I believe you are correct, Vaughn, the same Triumph rack for Elans, +2s, 7s, Europas - only the lock spacers and rod ends are different.

This is something I snipped and saved from a Buckland article in CLN:

steering rack spacers.png and
Henry
69 Elan S4
65 Seven S2
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PostPost by: Elan45 » Sun Jan 16, 2022 3:17 pm

I'll be interested to see if the pinion will work in your installation. Perhaps you'll half to use a RHD pinion., but I'll bet they are available individually.

I had to re-bush the rack housing on my 20/22 and the worst part was it should really have been a-line bored

Roger
'67 Elan S3 SS DHC
'67 Elan FHC pre-airflow
'67 Elan S3 SE upgrade to 26R by Original owner
'58 Eleven S2 (ex-works)
'62 20/22 FJ (ex-Yamura)
'70 Elan +2S RHD
'61 20 FJ project
'76 Modus M1 F3
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PostPost by: Mike Ostrov » Sun Jan 16, 2022 6:58 pm

Hi, Guys. This question arises often. I have refurbished many Elite and Elan racks in both RHD and LHD configuration. Have some extras if needed. Yes, you can certainly take a LHD rack and "flip it over" for a RHD car. Just please remember, that when you wish to make a right turn, the steering wheel must be rotated left (counter clockwise). A bit of a nuisance, but can be done. Cheers. Mike.
[email protected] or (5l0) 232-7764
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PostPost by: bitsobrits » Mon Jan 17, 2022 12:40 am

Mike can confirm or correct me, but I believe the internal components are the same for LHD and RHD. However, the alloy pinion housings are necessarily different to allow the pinion to be above the rack in each instance so the car steers in the direction intended.

To just flip a rack end to end, it will only work if the rack is also moved from one side of the axle centerline to the other. In the Elan that means from in front of the axle centerline to behind, where there certainly isn't enough room to even mount it, let alone get the bump steer anywhere near to acceptable. Then there is the matter of new steering arms, getting the Ackerman right....
Steve

Elan S1 1963-Bourne bodied
Elan S3 1967 FHC pre airflow

Formerly:
Elan S1 1964
Elan S3 1966 FHC pre airflow
Elan S3 1967 FHC airflow
Elan S4 1969 FHC
Europa S2 1970
Esprit S2 1979
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PostPost by: Mike Ostrov » Mon Jan 17, 2022 1:07 am

Hi, Steve. You are correct on the pinion "top or bottom" location. Other than moving the rack behind the center line, which, I guess could be accomplished. Easier to have the correct rack and check the specs in the Elan workshop manual for pinion and tie rod torque. I use these specs for re furbishing our Elite racks. Cheers. Mike.
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PostPost by: vstibbard » Mon Jan 17, 2022 9:04 pm

I’ll be fitting it to RHD tube and pinion housing with rhd pinion etc.
I have new rack bushes etc.
Thanks all.
Cheers
Vaughan
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