Hawk quick racks, group buy.

[strat6v]

Anybody interested in a quick rack for a Hawk/Transformer?

2 confirmed so far.

[BAS]

Yes please. :)

[guy mayers]

Any idea on prices John? Also, have you thought about asking Gerry if he wants any for stock? Or if it's something he supplies? I have no idea if does!
Guy

[Sptwoman]

John,
Do you have a spec and price available? How many turns are we talking about?

[chris.richard]

Standard is 2.5 or 2.7 isn't it?

[Mark Cowling]

Hi John
I'm interested, is it the same as the one Sando's got?
Regards Mark.

[Chris J]

'Think mine is already, it came with the car. I'll check.

[pimms]

I would be interested too!

[Chris J]

My rack is 1.75 turns lock to lock!

[BAS]

My rack is 1.75 turns lock to lock!

That seems very quick, I think Sando's rack is about 2.3 L2L I mine is about 3.3 L2L both with Hawk lock limiter fitted.

[Sptwoman]

My rack has a 3 turn L2L :( which appears to indicate a slow rack!!

John, Any info on the spec please..you've created a lot of interest. I'm interested where others have sourced their racks from as it appears there's a fair difference in specs.
Mine was off ebay, a Triumph Spitfire I believe..

[strat6v]

I'll be making a couple of calls tomorow (tues) Bear with me.

Racks have around 2.3 turns lock to lock, same spec as Sando's. There maybe a slight issue with the lock limit spacer. I will find out tomorow how much they will be and lead time for delivery. Probably need to make up an order of ten units.

I think the only concern would be if you intend using your car purely on the road then the steering would be pretty heavy and sensitive to even very small inputs.

[guy mayers]

Hi John, I'd agree with the weight issue, especially at low speeds and the wider the front tyres the worse it will be. However the Alfa 145 has 2.2 turns lock to lock and isn't particularly sensitive. But I guess it has a slightly longer wheelbase.
I'm still interested depending on the price. Will it be a complete rack or just the components to upgrade existing racks?
Cheers
Guy

[strat6v]

Guy, They are complete new racks.

[Chris J]

That seems very quick, I think Sando's rack is about 2.3 L2L I mine is about 3.3 L2L both with Hawk lock limiter fitted.

Lock limiter, ah?
I'll measure how much the track rod moves lock to lock.

[Sando]

Yes all new racks as per the one I've just fitted to try out.
Available as high ratio 2.6 L2L or standard. (with the Hawk Lock stop this makes it about 2.3 L2L)
Fits fine with the Hawk alloy mountings the Powder coating just needed a slight rub down.

Quite heavy for the road so needs consideration...
At the moment it's still quite stiff and as its new and needs time to bed in. Although this is adding a little to the heaviness at the moment, it's more the self centering this is affecting until it loosens up.

The only drawback is the lock limiter. I was going to do away with this but realised it is actually needed or you'll have bump steer issues or more lock one side than the other. It's used to centraise the inner joints to the Hawk Chassis whilst having equal movement either side. Ideally I'd have liked more wheel movement, but that would mean re locating the whole rack to do away with the Spacer.

The other option is to change the steering arm ratio, but then you are really altering what was originally designed in, so I'll just stick with a bigger turning circle for now. :)

My old rack had removable inner joints so the Lock limiter was easy to install and remove. However the new rack does not have these, so you will need to find an alternative means of fitting the spacer or making a new one that can be split.

cheers
Rob

[pimms]

The only drawback is the lock limiter. I was going to do away with this but realised it is actually needed or you'll have bump steer issues or more lock one side than the other. It's used to centraise the inner joints to the Hawk Chassis whilst having equal movement either side. Ideally I'd have liked more wheel movement, but that would mean re locating the whole rack to do away with the Spacer.
Rob

Hi Rob
I fitted the lock limiter, just as explained in the build manual, but i still have different lock left and right :o Is there a difference between LHD and RHD Herald steering racks or did i do something wrong :confused: Just realized that maybe i put it on the wrong side for a LHD, will check next week. The manual showed the limiter on the right hand side for a RHD rack, maybe i put it on the right hand side with the LHD rack :o

[Sando]

Hi Rob
I fitted the lock limiter, just as explained in the build manual, but i still have different lock left and right :o Is there a difference between LHD and RHD Herald steering racks or did i do something wrong :confused: Just realized that maybe i put it on the wrong side for a LHD, will check next week. The manual showed the limiter on the right hand side for a RHD rack, maybe i put it on the right hand side with the LHD rack :o


Not sure about that one Pim. LHD chassis may have the rack mountings different or the LHD rack may have different mountings.
.......You may be luck and be able to shorten the length of the spacer? depends which side has less/more lock I suppose. You'll figure it out if you look at it long enough :)

The key thing is that the pinion is in the middle of the available rack teeth after you have fitted the spacer and that you have exactly the same length of thread screwed into the rod ends each side so that everything is centralised.
Hope that makes sense. :confused:
Rob

[chris.richard]

Rob, looking at your animated avatar, shouldn't your crankshaft rotate about it's axis rather than fly round in wide circles? :rolleyes:

[strat6v]

I think his mains and big end are worn out :eek: :D :D

[strat6v]

Ok fella's, The racks are new items, 2.5 turns lock to lock which will equate to around 2.3 after the lock limit spacer is fitted. (see above thread) Unfortunately they do not do a left hand drive rack :rolleyes: Price quoted is £100.38 + vat or £118.17 in old money. Carriage was quoted as a block delivery to one address at £35.00. So if it's a go'er perhaps most could collect at the stoneleigh historic show in a few weeks and any others at post office counters delivery cost? We need an order for ten units minimum so spread the word.

[Sptwoman]

John, Are the track rods removeable so the original lock limiter / spacer can be fitted or are we looking to a mod'd version?

[mogul_x]

Unfortunately they do not do a left hand drive rack :rolleyes:

If anyone's looking for a quick-ratio left hand drive rack, they are available new from Moss motors. Fits Triumph Spitfire 1500 - but at $457, they aren't exactly in the same range as the group purchase price.

[Chris J]

The full track rod travel lock to lock on my rack is 4.5" (114mm). Is that about right?

[Sando]

Rob, looking at your animated avatar, shouldn't your crankshaft rotate about it's axis rather than fly round in wide circles? :rolleyes:

:D Thats usually where the Piston Return Spring goes isn't it? :D :p........and shouldn't it rotate the opposite way???? :rolleyes: .......not guilty, stolen from someone else :)
Bobster

[BAS]

Any news on the quick rack supply?