Sam Monoogian Posted August 14, 2002 Share Posted August 14, 2002 Have been away from Blatchat for a month as the only internet access I have is through a stand-alone machine in an open-plan office. Shouldn't be on now but need help so s*d it. Is it strictly necessary to change steering racks when converting from flared to cycle wings? I've overspent by a fair margin (well Barclaycard has anyway) as it is and I was thinking of fabricating some sort of rack stop to fit to my existing rack. Has anyone done this? How much would a replacement rack be and does anyone have a spare one for sale? Cheers, Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tight fart Posted August 14, 2002 Share Posted August 14, 2002 I tried it and ended up with a new rack. (stick with the 8% for road use) T.F@O.F. www.griptv.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted August 14, 2002 Share Posted August 14, 2002 if you get a new rack surely the fast one is the one to get? they cost the same and the fast one saves you having to pass the wheel through your hands which means you get lost when correcting over exuberances (out of a hairpin on the track obviously.... ). Why fight with a too slow rack when you don't have to 🤔 HOOPY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V7 SLR Posted August 14, 2002 Share Posted August 14, 2002 If you've only changed from flares to cycles then I can't see why you'd need to change the rack. the only reason I can think why you would is if you've also gone for a widetrack one. If the problem is that cycle wings foul the bodywork, as you appear to imply, then I'm sure it's an easy business to fabricate some rack-stops to limit the rack's movement at the extremes. Problem is where you intend to mount these rack-stops. Obvious place is to disassemble the rack and fit them within, but I suppose you could fit them to the steering arms although I can see them fouling on both the hole in the bodywork and/or the gaitors/boots on the ends of the rack itself. Worcs L7 club joint AO.//Membership No. 4379//Azure Blue SLR No. 0077//Se7ens List Tours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Grundy Posted August 14, 2002 Share Posted August 14, 2002 Totally agree with the above. Unless its widetrack the racks are the same...........at least thats what I thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Monoogian Posted August 14, 2002 Author Share Posted August 14, 2002 The problem is with the wings fouling the body sides. Having gone to all the time and trouble of getting the car repanelled and repainted, I don't want to hit the ali with the wings. The assembly guide says cycle wing cars use a different rack. How much is new rack anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted August 14, 2002 Share Posted August 14, 2002 i think you're looking at 150 to 200 quid for a new one. OTOH loads of ppl have gone to a quick rack so must have a std rack spare... try an advert in wanted. HOOPY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F355GTS Posted August 14, 2002 Share Posted August 14, 2002 Sam Don't mean to Ambulance chase but I'm about to upgrade to a 22% rack so my 8% widetrack will shortly be available, drop me a mail if you are interested Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Haighton Posted August 14, 2002 Share Posted August 14, 2002 Sam - I think you will only need a new rack if your existing rack is the old type steel tube version. These have more movement lock-to-lock than the new racks with 'Caterham' cast into them. I changed to an 8% rack simply to reduce the amount of steering wheel movement for road use & I'm very pleased with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVE GILBERT Posted August 14, 2002 Share Posted August 14, 2002 Why not put a couple of Jubilee Clips at either end of the rack to restrict the travel, worked well on my last 7 with the older style rack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickD Posted August 14, 2002 Share Posted August 14, 2002 The old steel tube Metro racks and the early (up to about 1995) Caterham-branded racks all had a 0.5" wide nylon spacer fitted to each end of the rack when supplied for use with cycle wings. Post-95 racks have a 34mm shorter rack bar and therefore don't need the spacers. I fitted spacers to an earlier rack with no problems. 8% and 22% racks differ only in the pinion fitted (8 or 9 tooth) - the rack bar is the same. So an 8% can be converted to 22% by fitting a new pinion costing about £30. The catch (inevitably) is that pinions are only available for recent racks as the helix angle was changed and no old stock remains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted August 15, 2002 Share Posted August 15, 2002 so does that mean you could get a 10 tooth pinion and have '40%' quick rack? or are the pininons a caterham supplied thing only? HOOPY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickD Posted August 15, 2002 Share Posted August 15, 2002 No, I think that only 7, 8 and 9-tooth pinions are available from Titan, so you could probably have very slow (-5%) rack if you were feeling wimpish. Caterham only sell complete racks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Monoogian Posted August 15, 2002 Author Share Posted August 15, 2002 I've got one of the old style racks. Mark, I've got standard track suspension so your wide-track rack wouldn't fit. Thanks anyway. I'll post something in "Wanted" and if I can't find a replacement, I'll try the jubilee clip option and cross my fingers. Thanks for your replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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