Rack & Pinion Steering for 1947 Ford
 

My old ford now goes to the right, when I turn left and vice versa.


I'll tell you how this came about. My steering box had gobs of slop in it even after adjusting it. So my good friend suggested we just put a Mustang rack & pinion in it. So we did.


The problem turned out to be the Mustang unit was designed to bolt on in front of the crossmember and due to the traverse front spring we could not mount it in the front so we mounted it in the rear.



The question is; has any of the readers successfully put in a rack and pinion steering in a 46 to 48 Ford, and what rack and pinion unit did they use?


Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Any help would be much appreciated!

Ken McCollum 801-644-0467

Re: Rack & Pinion Steering for 1947 Ford
 

You ain't the first person to experience this. I had a friend with a '47 Plymouth with the same problem. We trailered it to a large empty parking lot and had a hoot trying to drive it before we fixed it.

To add a positive twist to this, how about running the rack upside down? it should correct the problem, depending on the location of the pinion.

Rack and pinion steering gear came in both "front-steer" and "rear-steer" configurations; you obviously need a "rear-steer". I little work on "Google" will probably yield a list of cars with "rear-steer"; then just go to the boneyard and pick the one that looks like it will fit best.

Probably your best bet is to send your old steering box to Lares, Inc. to be rebuilt if the car hasn't been changed enough to preclude installing the stock box.

Re: Rack & Pinion Steering for 1947 Ford
 

Driving it up on trailer must have been fun!!!.... Mark

Re: Rack & Pinion Steering for 1947 Ford
 

We pulled it up with a winch; verrrry slowly.:rolleyes:

Re: Rack & Pinion Steering for 1947 Ford
 

More rear than front anymore. Taurus, escort etc. Would probably be best if you could stay with original set up and replace or repair. Almost no way to get rid of bump steer with a solid axel unless you can mount rack to axel. . Just my opinion. Never tried it

Re: Rack & Pinion Steering for 1947 Ford
 

I've read of Cavalier R&P units used for rear steer cars but I have no experience with them.

Re: Rack & Pinion Steering for 1947 Ford
 

You are asking for trouble. The geometry for the steering needs to be spot on where it is supposed to be. Otherwise you won't be able to safely steer it. I bought a 49 with a FatMan front end and the idiot had moved the position of the rack. Only solution to the extreme bump steer above 25 mph was to remove the rack and mount it with the proper mounting brackets from FatMan. Before fixing the car was hair raising to drive even at 25mph! Every bump I hit caused a wild jerk in the steering without changing the steering wheel to one side or another, into oncoming traffic or in the ditch. Rack was less than one inch from where it was supposed to be. IMHO if you want rack and pinion, get a mustang II front end and a modern motor.

"Bump Steer is when your wheels steer themselves without input from the steering wheel. The undesirable steering is caused by bumps in the track interacting with improper length or angle of your suspension and steering linkages."

http://www.longacreracing.com/techni...aspx?item=8162

Re: Rack & Pinion Steering for 1947 Ford
 

Back many years a go, I had a Model A roadster street rod with an aftermarket straight axle in it. I mounted a SAAB rack in the axle, in back I believe. Must have done it right, as I put many miles on that car without any steering problems.

Re: Rack & Pinion Steering for 1947 Ford
 

I once replaced the steering cable on my jet boat and the new "rack" would only fit under the worm drive at the steering wheel. Never gave it a thought that the original was above the worm.... Thought I never was going to get it back to the dock and on the trailer.

Re: Rack & Pinion Steering for 1947 Ford
 

Thanks Guys!
I was pleasantly surprised at the number of responses! Wow!


The rack is mounted solid to the axle and in line with spindle tie rod holes.


We've switched to a rear steer small Chrysler Rack, but I don't like the size of the shaft coming out of the pinion. It is just over 1/2 inch in diameter. That seems small for that weight and size car.


The original Ford shaft was a meaty 1 inch.


Thanks Again, Ken in Ogden utah

Re: Rack & Pinion Steering for 1947 Ford
 

why did you install the rack you would have been better off rebuilding your box or installing a good used one the orignal 47 ford steers very ez

Re: Rack & Pinion Steering for 1947 Ford
 

I'm with Tubman and richard above. Rebuilt original box sounds like your best bet. Actually, rebuilding it yourself might be very satisfying....it would be and has been for me.:)