Howe steering rack tech????

[bru21]

Can't work out which rack to get size D or DD.

Looking at the howe site doesn't offer any clues.

I am assuming the average loads I will place on the rack would be higher than a normal buggy due to 4x4/ winching. Would a 2.5" ram assisted rack be any good? or is it worth shelling out more for the 2.75" or 3" one.


http://www.howeperformance.com/desert_racing.htm

there are also wide spread racks - only thing I can see is they are wider at the slider?

http://www.howeperformance.com/shortcourse_racing.htm

A mate is in the usa so I wanted to order one asap to save freight!

also is howe or pro-am better can't seem to fing info on the pro-am ones.

regards,

Bru

[Draven]

Can't work out which rack to get size D or DD.

When you talking 'rack' size...the bigger the better mate

mmmmm Double D

[steel]

hey Bru, you should try finding a offroad racing forum.
not many people on this forum using a rack i would think.
all proud box boys.
although it suprises me sometimes, the brains floating round outers, a wealth of knowledge

[steel]

having looked at howe's site i would think the 2.75'' would be plenty strong enough.
Trophy trucks are using that rack, they run 37'' tyres and nothing, i mean nothing, gets punished like a trophy truck.
have you got a target weight for your buggy?


are you calling it a buggy?

[1MadEngineer]

there is ALWAYS other options .......

[bru21]

I spoke to a few suppliers today.

It appears the 2.5" is adequate for my needs.

wide spread refers to the distance between the rod ends - allowing the tie rods lengths to be better matched to the control arms - reducing bump steer.

I posted this on OFN and signed up to race desert last night.

I like to be 100% sure I'm getting good information - especially as the rack alone is $2300, valve is $750.

still need to work out what the ratio means ie 1.5:1

as for others options I thought of running a box like:

http://sorra.offroadracing.com.au/buildups/beast69.jpg

http://sorra.offroadracing.com.au/buildups/beast51.jpg

http://sorra.offroadracing.com.au/images/beast24.JPG


thanks fellas.

[blurredvision]

1.5 to 1 relates to 1.5 rotations to go lock to lock.
This is good for the speed you want to turn in racing applications.

[1MadEngineer]

no, 1.5:1 relate to the ratio of the small planetry on the input shaft to the box/rack. Also referred to as a 'steering quickner'. basicaly a 3/2 ratio so therefore the steering force is reduced by the inverse percentage as well....

[blurredvision]

Yes, what you have described as a "small planetary" is the pinion (rack & pinion). A steering quickener is different again being an in line step up single gear box. You see these in rally cars applications as well as when a steering box is used with a slider style steering set up.
You also see race racks in 1:1 which serves no purpose in changing steering force.