Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?

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    Author Topic: Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?  (Read 17626 times)

    Offline widing'cuda

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    Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?
    « on: August 07, 2009 - 12:07:09 PM »
    Has anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?


    I heard about the increas in turn radius... But how much more is it increased?
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    Offline Doomed

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    Re: Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?
    « Reply #1 on: August 09, 2009 - 11:39:12 AM »
    When looking into Rack'n' pinion, Ray at Cap said that it offers little, for the money.

    Kyle.
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    Offline widing'cuda

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    Re: Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?
    « Reply #2 on: August 09, 2009 - 12:10:46 PM »
    Ok, but will it improve my road feel? As the stock steering gear box really sucks. I just installed a rebuilt one. And I wasn't very inprested.
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    - Jørgen - Norwegian Mopar fanatic

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    Offline moprr

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    Re: Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?
    « Reply #3 on: August 09, 2009 - 01:31:09 PM »
    I am considering buying this to I spoke to unisteer and they say they sell alot of them with no complaints.  I can't seem to find many reviews about the product anywhere. 
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    Offline autoxcuda

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    Re: Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?
    « Reply #4 on: August 09, 2009 - 02:06:39 PM »
    Quote from: widing'cuda on August 07, 2009 - 12:07:09 PM
    Has anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?


    I heard about the increas in turn radius... But how much more is it increased?


    That radius increase doesn't sound right. The bump stops for the steering is the bump/numb on the lower ball joint/steering arm hitting the back of the lower control. That limits the radius.

    You really need to check if your specific brand and motor size header will fit this rack. Does unisteer make any claims or guarentees on what exhausts will fit these?
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    Offline Doomed

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    Re: Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?
    « Reply #5 on: August 09, 2009 - 05:39:28 PM »
    I do know that these are the only bolt on R&P units available for the e-body, so i'm sure a few have sold. You could always go the firm feel route, they make a great steering box up grade.

    Kyle.
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    Offline ShelbyDogg

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    Re: Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?
    « Reply #6 on: August 10, 2009 - 03:49:02 PM »
    I drove with a guy on the Power Tour with an Oreilly Motorsports K and R&P.  He said his changed where he couldn't turn as tightly now either but loved the feel.  Don't know about the one in question though.
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    Rob

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    Offline arcticmopar

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    Re: Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?
    « Reply #7 on: August 10, 2009 - 07:32:16 PM »
    when I talked to Unisteer about one they never mentioned any increase in turning radius but did say it improves "roadfeel" and said one of the e-bodies they test fitted it one was a 70 challenger 383 with TTI headers, fits without mods. :stirpot: I too have been waiting for a real-life install and road test on this...that and lack of funds. :money:
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    Offline Ornamental

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    Re: Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?
    « Reply #8 on: August 11, 2009 - 08:36:06 AM »
    Last time I was at your place with my Chally, first time with the Alterktion and it's Unisteer R&P, I parked as usual next to your work van, on the lawn.

    Before when I parked there, it was easy to just turn right and drive away.
    But this last time, with the new K-frame and Unisteer R&P, my front ended up at your neighbours fence when I turned right, and I had to back up a little before I was clear.

    Too bad Frank was in a hurry then, so there was no time for you to test it there and then. And the day after, the freaking converter/tranny went south...

    If Cato and the good people at Frame-Works have the Chally in working order before fall, maybe it's possible to arrange a test drive for you, so you can find out for yourself?  ;)

    (A little off topic: RMS does tell in advance that the turn radius will increase, and it does. But the cornering abillities really makes up for it, and that's my opinion already before the suspension is dialed in!)

     
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    Offline janh

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    Re: Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?
    « Reply #9 on: August 13, 2009 - 04:05:12 AM »
    Installed the rack last year and had a lot of problems. The installation instructions were not very clear and although I think I followed the instructions, I ended up with a steering shaft that was too short for the kit. After extending the shaft, I realized that there where no way that the angle between the shaft and the rack would be optimal. The steep angle caused some binding when turning the wheel.

    I don't know if this was a problem only on the rack I received. Tried to talk to Unisteer technical support several times but didn't get much help.

    I am using TTI 1-7/8 headers and had no clearance issue here, but I had to modify my Milodon 7 quarts oil pan extensively in order to have the rack installed.

    I'm not very happy with rack and will probably remove it this winter but I haven't decided what I will use.

    </Jan>
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    Offline chevyconvert

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    Re: Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?
    « Reply #10 on: August 26, 2011 - 03:57:15 PM »
     :horse:
    I know this is old but an important topic that really did not have much feedback in 2009.
    With 26:1 manual steering, plenty of slop, and a 4-speed this uni-steer r&p "sounds" good.
    Anyone else installed/driven this rack and pinion unit in a '70 e-body in the last 2-years?  :dunno:

    Thanks :cheers:
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    Eric
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    Offline Chryco Psycho

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    Re: Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?
    « Reply #11 on: August 26, 2011 - 04:59:53 PM »
    Quote from: autoxcuda on August 09, 2009 - 02:06:39 PM
    That radius increase doesn't sound right. The bump stops for the steering is the bump/numb on the lower ball joint/steering arm hitting the back of the lower control. That limits the radius.
    Only if the rack has enough travel so the bumps can limit it , if the rack runs out of travel you are done .
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    Offline autoxcuda

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    Re: Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?
    « Reply #12 on: August 28, 2011 - 03:25:31 PM »
    Quote from: Chryco Psycho on August 26, 2011 - 04:59:53 PM
    Only if the rack has enough travel so the bumps can limit it , if the rack runs out of travel you are done .

     :iagree: I should have said the most travel you are going to get is stock radius.

    Like you said, it may actually be less.
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    Offline autoxcuda

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    Re: Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?
    « Reply #13 on: August 28, 2011 - 03:32:25 PM »
    Quote from: chevyconvert on August 26, 2011 - 03:57:15 PM
    :horse:
    I know this is old but an important topic that really did not have much feedback in 2009.
    With 26:1 manual steering, plenty of slop, and a 4-speed this uni-steer r&p "sounds" good.
    Anyone else installed/driven this rack and pinion unit in a '70 e-body in the last 2-years?  :dunno:

    Thanks :cheers:

    Those Unisteer units have a bad reputation.

    Sounds like your box need rebuilding. And it's very slow ratio that give you that sloppy feeling.

    You can get an all new 16:1 manual box (hard to turn at low speeds). Firm Feel may have 20:1 rebuilt boxes with new gears too. Or you could go to 16:1 power steering with Firm Feel power steering box. Or add a longer Firm Feel pitman arm to make it 12.7:1 ratio.
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    Spring Fling XXX
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    Offline HEMROID

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    Re: Anyone install unisteer's rack and pinion steering in there e-body?
    « Reply #14 on: August 29, 2011 - 02:24:50 AM »
    Quote from: autoxcuda on August 28, 2011 - 03:32:25 PM
    Those Unisteer units have a bad reputation.

    Sounds like your box need rebuilding. And it's very slow ratio that give you that sloppy feeling.

    You can get an all new 16:1 manual box (hard to turn at low speeds). Firm Feel may have 20:1 rebuilt boxes with new gears too. Or you could go to 16:1 power steering with Firm Feel power steering box. Or add a longer Firm Feel pitman arm to make it 12.7:1 ratio.

    Firm Feel seem to have a great reputation, I'd love one but with the big block and TTI headers I'm left with the stock one!
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    Matt
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