AGR Rack

[Gyrhead]

Suggestions, thought, comments, criticisms? My last Cardone rack is sadly not the HiPo rack and the car's steering well...sucks. The core is long gone too. Don''t want to paw thru a bunch of Cardone racks to possibly find the right one. Do I need to match this rack to AGR's pump or is that just marketing fluff?

[MikeFleming]

No - use the same pump, no worries.

Just get a 2.5:1 HiPo rack and return the current core you have. No one will care.

[Gyrhead]

Mike, you mean get another Cardone one? How do I be sure it's the HiPo? The last one was supposed to be the 2.5:1 and wasn't

[MikeFleming]

You make sure you order the 2.5:1 LTL rack. if they send the incorrect one, you make them replace it with what you ordered. At their shipping expense.

Or get one from here:

http://www.buy-steering.com/addtocart/1986_Ford/Mustang/Power_Steering_Rack/80-00267.html
PRICE: $135; CORE: $75

3 year warranty; Free ground shipping. They have a purchase option to pre-pay the return core shipping for $12.00.

What's not to like?

[Mike S]

Paul,

I have an AGR rack. It is better than the Cardone unit from AZ, but it still doesn't feel like the original in my other car. The Cardone previously installed felt like I was driving a Lincoln Towncar. No feel and easy to over drive the front wheel grip. By brother had the same problem with the Cardone units.

[MikeFleming]

Install more caster.

[DaveS]

I guess I'm fortunate, I still have my original racks on my '86s and when they need to be rebuilt, I send them out for rebuild.
It is a bit more expensive, but that way I keep the original steering rack in my car.

[Mike S]

Install more caster.

Doesn't help. The valving in the rack is wrong and provides to much assist.

[Patrick]

If one is wanting to remain stock, adding caster is not an option. There is no factory adjustment for that like there is in the aftermarket CC plates.

[Chalky]

Dave, who do you use for your rebuilds????

[DaveS]

Chris,
First; sorry to hear about your car.
I use Turn One ( http://www.turnone-steering.com/ ) for my rebuilds. It is a small shop, I deal with Jeff who I believe is the owner.
If/When you contact them, drop my name as I'd like them to know there are a few SVOs out there plus I've initiated discussion with them regarding becoming a vendor for SVOCOP (they are NOT one at this time, but if more SVO owners use their service, it will make becoming a vendor more attractive).
The cost is reasonable, a bit more than an off the shelf Cardone rebuild, but in my opinion well worth it.
Dave

[Chalky]

Dave where is the part number (and what is it) on the rack itself?? I might check and see if the one in my 86 BWD is original and if so I'll send it in.

[DaveS]

Chris,
I've attached some pictures of the ID location on the rack. For 85-86, this ID will be CV or CW if it is an SVO rack. The rack in the picture is a CW, you'll be able to see it if you look closely. As far as I can tell, there isn't a differentiation for the '84 rack, other than it is a TRW rack. If you went to your Ford dealer for a replacement rack, there was a unique part number...but it doesn't appear that the rebuilders acknowledge the uniqueness of the SVO rack. If you need any more info, let me know.

3155

3154

[Chalky]

Thanks again Dave. The rack in "Wingless", the 86 2R BWD has CW stamped in it. It has the SVO stamp on it still, like this one. I'll be calling Turn One on Monday.
3314

[etc1006]

Also, IIRC I came across 15:1 cast into the body of some of them also. IIRC maybe around the snout for where the column comes down to it?

[DaveS]

Chalky,
Great to hear. It's always good to hear there are still SVO racks on our cars. If it were mine, I'd be doing exactly the same thing...rebuilding it.
Jeff at Turn one is great to deal with. Tell him you've got a Ford rack, just like the one he rebuilt last year (my SVO steering rack was the first Ford rack he rebuilt-his shop is in Saganaw so I'm sure you can figure out what he works on most). He will need the inner tie rods to set it up, so be sure to send them to him too. No worries, he did a great job and I don't hesitate a bit in recommending him.
Just a FYI, Rockauto used to have rebuilding service (I just checked their website and didn't see it there) and I started out looking there for a rebuild. When I called Rockauto customer service, they told me that if Cardone (who does the rebuilding) has a rack "just like mine" on the shelf, they would ship that on-the-shelf rack back. I just didn't want to risk loosing my SVO rack and getting "one that steers like a lincoln" back. Turn One cost a bit more, but to me it was worth it.
Dave

[SVOBoyd]

I just bought a rack from Rockauto, it was supposed to be the 2.5 turn rack. I checked the ID and it was SPR-KO (versus SPR-CV or SPR-CW). I was trying to find out what the SPR-KO rack was out of and in the process learned that the number stamped below the SPR number is the build date starting with the year. The build date on the rack Rockauto sent was 97! I called Rockauto and the only thing they can figure is someone stuck the wrong rack in the box. Anyway, I sent it back. I am just going to have mine rebuilt.


Chris,
I've attached some pictures of the ID location on the rack. For 85-86, this ID will be CV or CW if it is an SVO rack. The rack in the picture is a CW, you'll be able to see it if you look closely. As far as I can tell, there isn't a differentiation for the '84 rack, other than it is a TRW rack. If you went to your Ford dealer for a replacement rack, there was a unique part number...but it doesn't appear that the rebuilders acknowledge the uniqueness of the SVO rack. If you need any more info, let me know.

3155

3154

[DaveS]

Since my orignial post, I have had Turn-One rebuild another steering rack. Still satisfied with his work.

[SVOBoyd]

I'm going to try them out.


Since my orignial post, I have had Turn-One rebuild another steering rack. Still satisfied with his work.

[Jack Hidley]

Turn One does excellent work.

[fastsvo]

How much does Turn One charge for a rebuild?

[DaveS]

They charge $200 plus return shipping.