steering rack- enlighten me please

[scott.k]

Hello,
I have been reading up on the steering rack spacers vs. the adjustable height knuckle spacers. From what I understand, they do two different things in attempt to accomplish the same thing. The steering rack spacers (the less expensive washer type spacers) prop up the steering rack to that the tie rods are now horizontal to mach your wheel/ strut heigh which is now higher up due to the fact that you just lowered your car.

In contrast, the adjustable knuckle spacers (or whatever theyre called)- (rebel racing and elephant racing), achieve the horizontal tie rod by spacing the tie rod down and keeping the steering rack at its original height.

Is this correct?

One difference that I see is that the knuckle spacers have the ability for much more spacing for a much lower car, where as the rack spacers come with just one aluminum washer/ spacer (I guess you could put more washers in there but im not sure if its recommended).

Logically, keeping the rack low (knuckle spacers) keeps a lower gravity point, and they allow for more adjustably, but are there any other major differences (because the price difference is rather huge).

What do you recommend?
Thanks
Scott

[RWebb]

how low is your car?

the rack spacers are ok, if it is not real low

[scott.k]

Originally Posted by RWebb

how low is your car?

the rack spacers are ok, if it is not real low

its not very low right now. just under "euro height", I think. I was just wondering for future reference as I get into tracking more. All the race prepped cars are all pretty low and I think they use the knuckle spacers, so it makes sense that its a matter of ride height.

Any benefits to a lifted rack vs. lowered tie rods, or vise-versa?
Thanks
Scott

[Flieger]

You can only raise the rack so far until you run into the chassis or bind the steering. When you install the rack spacers you need to loosen the clamp of the u-joints in the steering shaft to allow everything to reset to its original configuration as far as the U joint angles go.

When you use the tie-rod spacers you do not need to worry about this but if you use big enough tie-rod spacers you should weld another steering arm to the strut so that you can support the tie rod spacer from both its ends.