Increasing steering ratio

andre75 · 08-29-2007, 10:16 PM

Has anyone done this or know of an easy way to do so...OR is it even possible to increase the steering ratio in a 1975 911s?

I have a 280mm momo to clear my knees (i'm 6'5") but have just found by having the rear snap on me that I cant turn the wheel fast enough. Is there a way to turn up the steering ratio?

Thanks!

Andre

Jeff Alton · 08-29-2007, 10:29 PM

Are you looking for more front wheel movement per steering wheel angle, or less?

Cheers

andre75 · 08-29-2007, 10:35 PM

I'm looking for more.

Jeff Alton · 08-29-2007, 10:51 PM

I think there is an aftermarket higher ratio steering rack available, or at least there was. I will try to hunt it down.

cheers

andre75 · 08-29-2007, 10:53 PM

Wow! Thank you!

gestalt1 · 08-30-2007, 06:19 AM

i found a quicker steering rack off ebay. it was made by koklin i think. i also remember a quick rack in the performance and demon tweeks catalog years ago. it makes the rack 2 turns lock to lock. i have never seen a slower rack ratio.
-matt

chris_seven · 10:38 AM

Last year I contacted Kokolen about the 2.3 turns lock to lock rack kit that was advertised on their website but was informed that they had ceased manufacture. I tired to persuade them to make a batch of 10 but to no avail and I eventually gave up.

Demon Tweeks used to list a 2.5 turns lock to lock kit that was manufactured by Quaife but it is not shown in their current catalogue.

Quaife still list the kit on their site but haven't had any stock for at least 2 years. I did try to order racks but the quoted delivery for 10 kits was 18-26 weeks with an up front payment and it was just too much money and too long a wait. The price quoted for 10 was the same as the individual piece price but quite attractive at around $260 each.

They list a kit for a 911 1974-1989 and for a 914 1974-1989 and I found the 914 data a bit confusing and when I asked they said it was the same part. I thought that the 914 used an early style 911 Rack but having never seen on this is a bit of a guess.

Last year I sent a rack to Jack Knight Gears for them to quote but they went bankrupt 2 weeks later. They are now trading again but when you call there is always an answerphone and they never call bacl or respond to e-mails.

Last week I sent yet another rack to a company that make a wide range of Single Seater Race Racks here in England and I believe that I am in great danger of getting a quote
in the next few days.

The rack we have sent is the later design with the 'flexible' shaft which automatically corrects for wear and I think that this was used from 74 onwards.

I think that the early rack in 65/66 has a ratio of 2.7 turns lock to lock and will fit direcdtly to later cars. I hink that nthe same design of rack was used up to 73 but that the number of turns increased to about 3.25 and I am sure someone will confirm as I am not 100% confident that I am right.

As soon as I can find a supplier for the later racks I also plan to try to make an early style kit but it is an uphill struggle and a bit frustrating.

MaquinaVerde · 09-01-2007, 10:43 AM

The rack in my '70 is just over 2.5 turns lock to lock and to my knowledge is original to the car.

Jeff Alton · 09-01-2007, 11:01 AM

My research has indicated they became NLA due to lack of interest. Nobody seems to have one or want to make one, Chris's efforts may prove your best hope.

cheers

Carrera3.5L · Carrera3.5L's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_seven

Last year I contacted Kokolen about the 2.3 turns lock to lock rack kit that was advertised on their website but was informed that they had ceased manufacture. I tired to persuade them to make a batch of 10 but to no avail and I eventually gave up.

Demon Tweeks used to list a 2.5 turns lock to lock kit that was manufactured by Quaife but it is not shown in their current catalogue.

Quaife still list the kit on their site but haven't had any stock for at least 2 years. I did try to order racks but the quoted delivery for 10 kits was 18-26 weeks with an up front payment and it was just too much money and too long a wait. The price quoted for 10 was the same as the individual piece price but quite attractive at around $260 each.

The Kokeln/Vision sport steering rack was simply the Quaife rack rebadged. The last production run for these units was shipped to Autotech (the NA importer for Quaife UK at the time) many years ago and was immediately sold off to Kokeln which had an agreement for exclusive distribution rights.

Nowadays you can bypass the middlemen Kokeln and Autotech and go right to Quaife in the UK but as was stated, a minimum production run is required and leadtime can easily be 16-20 weeks.

Ralph

Chuck Moreland · 09-01-2007, 01:44 PM

If I understand the original post, the reason you want a faster steering ratio is to try and catch the rear end when it starts to come around.

You will find a faster ratio is not going to solve this problem.

The solution is A) driving technique and B) vehicle setup

When the back end starts coming around you need to dial in a little countersteer and feed in some throttle. If you can't dial in enough countersteer with the stock ratio, go both feet in 'cause you're already gone.

Vehicle setup involves suspension, alignment, tires, wheels etc. Tuned properly, you can use this to reduce the propensity of losing that back end.