|
A friend fitted an early Rabbit rack in his ball joint front end fiberglass buggy. From what he said the tie rod ends fit the T1 VW spindles, and the input spline matches the Superbeetle R&P steering shaft. He has yet to drive it, but the overall installation went relatively straightforward.
The biggest drawback, at least from my measurements and calculations (presuming you can get the bump-steer dialed out with mounting adjustments) is the steering rate. A stock VW box (and spindles) has a fairly quick steering rate of about 14:1. Most manual steer racks have much less movement per steering wheel rotation than the VW box. I noted when we were pushing my friends buggy onto a trailer it seemed like a "lot of wheel turning" was required to get it pointed in the right direction. Someone does (or did) make a quick-steer kit for the VW Rabbit rack - I think Quaife? Lots 'O $$$ for that kit, but also read that the power steering gears can be substituted in the manual rack for quicker steering? Only other options I've come across are expensive racing car racks with multiple options of steering rate.
He also had to modify the fuel tank for clearance - but that may or may not be required for a sedan installation?
Chalk all this up in the FWIW dept....
Jeff
|