I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

So first off, I’ve done some research on google, here, and over at SVT performance. I’m aware of the parts store reman stuff and how one may get a v6 or GT rack and pinion instead of a Mach 1 part. I’m interested in the rack and pinion that LMR has (https://lmr.com/item/LRS-3504E-K/mus...-rack-kit-9904), has anyone used it? Any feedback from it? Also, what is the turn ratio on our original rack and pinions? The LMR unit is a 15:1 and I believe I seen that Flaming River also has a 15:1, along with a faster 12:1 (if memory serves me right) and a much slower 20:1 units. I really don’t feel like spending upwards of a thousand dollars on a rack and pinion, so Flaming River is definitely out of the question lol I took a look at the OPR rack over at American Muscle, and noticed that it says it won’t fit a Mach 1 🤷🏻*♂️ If rebuilding my original rack is best overall, does anyone have a place they recommend in/around Los Angeles? Thanks and I appreciate all the help, info and advice I can get! :thumbsup:

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

Have you thought about picking up a Cobra reman rack like Summit offers? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/a...odel/svt-cobra

Or jump on Summit Racing and search for "2004 FORD MUSTANG Cardone Remanufactured Rack and Pinion Units 22-2000"

You get the firmer feel and a a better overall unit. The prices are bad either. The housing should be stamped with the ZM code ensuring it is an actual Cobra rack.

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

Honestly, it never crossed my mind to look into Summit! Do you (or anyone else) happen to know how it compares to LMR or any other units out there? I’ll definitely look into Summit for sure, thanks! :thumbsup:

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

Both my brother and I have used them and they have been top quality.

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

Thanks for this!

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

Many people who have purchased the so called remaned Cobra racks have found that you have no better chance of getting a real Cobra rack with the correct internals than you do just picking the rack for your year car. There was an article about this a few years ago in MM&FF and the remanufacturers just throw all of the internals in a bin and you get what ever the tech pulls out of the bin. This was verified by MM's Jack Hidley and he gave the name of a reman company you can send your rack to and supposedly they will actually rebuild your rack.When I get home on Tuesday I can get that info from my file and post it if you are interested.

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

This insures that the housing is Cobra but the internals are a crap shoot.

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

This is true but I am just speaking from own experience that they have been quality units. I have had bad experiences using remans from the likes of Autozone and O'Reilly's but the ones I have used from Summit have been good to me so far.

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

That would be much appreciated, thanks! :thumbsup:

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

By quality unit I guess you mean they don't leak for many years.

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

Do you guys happen to know what the turn ratio for our cars is? Last night after work, I turned my steering wheel lock to lock, and it was about 2 1/2 turns. According to Flaming River’s site, a “standard” turn ratio is 20:1 with 4 turns lock to lock, a quick ratio is 15:1 with 3.3 turns lock to lock, and a 12:1 is 2.7 turns lock to lock. So if ours is a 12:something ratio, I’ll HAVE to avoid the units from LMR and the like with those higher turn ratios. What are your guys’ thoughts?

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

15.3:1 according to tech specs on this website.

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

If my wheel is pointed straight, I can get just a c-hair past 1.25 turns before it locks to either the left or right.

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

No leaks, squeaks, rattles, firm feel, tracked true, etc. Take it for what it's worth. I have been happy with them for daily driving. My race car uses a Flaming River manual rack if that makes a difference but for the money, I haven't been disappointed with the Summit racks.

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

15.3?! That’s interesting! Do manufacturers use different methods to get their ratios? Sorry, I know I’m hung up at the moment with ratios and stuff, I just don’t want to buy and install a rack that’s not to our car’s specs. So in other words, if my stock rack takes 2 1/2 turns of the steering wheel to go lock to lock, I do NOT want a rack that’ll take more than that to go lock to lock. I want the same or better (if possible), and don’t want to spend close to a grand to get it. :thumbsup:

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

I’m thinking I might go with the Summit unit. My Mach is my daily and my drive to and from work (50 miles round trip) is getting a LOT worse! It actually scares me to go past 60mph, that’s how bad it’s getting. I still want the info from j Rick Kirby tho! I don’t plan on getting rid of my stock rack and do want to have it rebuilt and stored for the future if ever needed!

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

I'd be interested as well.

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

Forgot to bring that rack rebuilding info. I'll try again.

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

Not sure if still needed, but I have one that came with 03 Cobra motor I bought, notagt@gmail.com

Re: I need a new rack and pinion, help please?!
 

Thanks for the offer but I ended up ordering the unit from Summit. :)