Steering rack same as Escort mk 2

[Cushing]

Hi all. I found on the net that the steering rack from a Ford Escort mk 2 is the same as fitted to a 88 Esprit turbo, is this correct ?.  S,J, Sportscars are selling for 279 pounds, but I can get a new Escort rack for 130 pounds !

[Jacques]

Interesting. Same spec?

And would that Escort thing also fit an SE?

Kind regards,

Jacques.

Edited October 12, 2015 by Jacques

[eeyoreish]

Interested too!

I have a small amount of play in my rack so might consider a swap...

[andydclements]

I think the Lotus one is Ford based but not standard, so you'd have to adjust some aspects, for example a quick-rack system.

Edited October 12, 2015 by andydclements

[eeyoreish]

I think the Lotus one is Ford based but not standard, so you'd have to adjust some aspects, for example a quick-rack system.

Grr... Suddenly it's less appealing...

[lotus-62]

No, but the capri one comes closer but even the capri one is not a direct replacement (pinion shaft is longer) however I used capri rack parts to overhaul my '85 s3 one. got the parts from a shop in b'ham  (btw  a small amount of play? in the u-joints or at the pinion? I had some small play on the pinion to the rack. simmed the spring and installed a new nylon bush, problem solved. if it's play on the inside ball, they can be adjusted slightly

 

Edited October 12, 2015 by lotus-62

[eeyoreish]

Not sure TBH... I'm just aware that there's a tiny amount of play.

Pretty sure it's in the rack as I got the current Mrs H to wobble the wheel at MOT time. Looked like everything as far as the rack was fine but a small amount of movement is being lost in the rack. MOT man didn't mention it so nothing significant.

[Barrykearley]

as I got the current Mrs H to wobble the wheel at MOT time. .

current ? Current?? Freudian slip? Hmmm upgrade being considered???? 

[Vanya]

I'd advise sending the worn out rack to Lotusbits for a refurb. Comes in cheaper than the 200 something quoted above.

Also check that it actually is the rack and not one of the UJ's....money to be saved there

[RODOLPHESPRIT]

agreed whith the capri's parts.

all the rack system are the same S3 to SE

[eeyoreish]

current ? Current?? Freudian slip? Hmmm upgrade being considered???? 

Happy with the existing equipment. No upgrades currently planned...

[Cushing]

Mine has quite a lot of play and it's inside the rack.  S.J Sportscars say it's non serviceable, as written in the Lotus manual. But I'm pretty sure that Lotus being Lotus did not get a steering rack designed for them just for the Esprit, the whole car is made from a mixture of manufactures. I take it nobody has done this. If I ring SJS they will have no interest in confirming it.  

I can get a Escort rack here in Norway for 130 pounds, if I order one from SJS it's 279 pounds plus Norwegian tax at 25% plus shipping and the exchange rate is killing me, it will cost me about 500 pounds delivered.

 

[andydclements]

Compare the number of turns from lock to lock, and I think you'll find that the Escort one will mean you have to turn the steering wheel a lot more for a given corner. Exchange rack from Lotusbits is £100 + VAT + shipping, not cheap allowing for international shipping but probably still cheaper than SJ.

[lotus-62]

 I can get a Escort rack here in Norway for 130 pounds, if I order one from SJS it's 279 pounds plus Norwegian tax at 25% plus shipping and the exchange rate is killing me, it will cost me about 500 pounds delivered.

 

again, forget about the escort rack because it is not the one you are after, it is too narrow. the nearest one is the capri one but according to a friend of mine it is also not correct (don't ask me what but he ended up with an sj one) 

the Birmingham based company I got my parts from is Kiley clinton (http://www.steering-racks.co.uk/) 

good luck 

[RODOLPHESPRIT]

i m agree whith lotus 62 the steering rack of an esprit is the capri ( whith a change of the arms ) it s not the escort

[Cushing]

Thanks guys, I see Lotus-62 got one from SJS and it didn't fit !! what was the outcome ? http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/56134-sj-steering-rack-problem-esprit-s3-na/

[lotus-62]

no Stephen, the capri didn't fit, the sj one fits however I like the inner parts of the capri rack more as it has 2 proper bearings instead of 1 "normal" bearing and a needle bearing (think the last esprits just before the power steering have 2 tapper bearings as well). I converted mine to 2 tapper bearings. give mike a call from lotus bits to overhaul yours, much cheaper than a new one.

[lotus-62]

and yes the rack is a bit shorter (820 vs 830) but only god knows if it makes a difference or not. btw give steve a call (sj) maybe he remembers Nic and myself asking about the rack. I would not spend 280 plus vat, plus shipping plus norway vat on a sj rack I think you can build a custom rack for that amount of money.

btw if you sent your old one to lotus bits for repair, do you still have to pay vat in norway when it comes back? 

i m agree whith lotus 62 the steering rack of an esprit is the capri ( whith a change of the arms ) it s not the escort

Rudolphe, the pinion shaft is a lot longer on the capri rack as well, not just the arms. btw I hope to measure a capri rack end of this week to shine a little more light on this mystery 

[Cushing]

Thanks again guys, I'll give Lotus-bits a call, it would be cheaper to get mine rebuilt. I'm not using it over the winter and I would only pay VAT on the work carried out, double shipping costs but still cheaper, good idea :-)

 

Steve