Modifying A Xsara Rack To Fit A 205

[jackherer 543]

would be very nice if you could put up a bit of a guide to removing the track rods, I've never successfully removed one!

 

I used 36" stilsons with the rack in a big vice.

[alync406 4]

would be very nice if you could put up a bit of a guide to removing the track rods, I've never successfully removed one!

 

I normally use a big water pump pliers like this Water pump pliers

Normally does the job,but there is a tool specially for the job.

[davev 1]

just to bring up an old topic.

 

but does anyone have any more info on this. as im trying to fit a zsara rack to a mates car and reading 50 pages of projects hoping for some info is hurting my eyes.

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

Can you use any xsara rack or just the VTS one?

 

Ta

[DrSarty 90 1 Cars]

but does anyone have any more info on this. as im trying to fit a zsara rack to a mates car and reading 50 pages of projects hoping for some info is hurting my eyes.

 

Well what do you want to know? What's not written in here that you need help on?

 

Reading does not hurt.

 

One piece of advice I can add is that depending on your set-up (e.g. mine is a custom subframe to fit 306 wishbones), as part of trying to avoid/minimise bump steer you may need to raise your rack; I did. This means the amount you shorten the bottom UJ'd Xsara steering rack shaft to fit the 205 column can be different, i.e. it needs to be tailored to fit.

[happygoron 2]

Reading does not hurt.

 

It does when staring at a light bulb (which a monitor essentially is)!

[kyepan 291]

still ongoing chaps.

 

paul13 has found an old square drive lower uj section that appears to mate correctly to the square drive section of the pas rack. it is a different ratio of lengths below and above the uj, and also has a longer flat section so no grinding will be needed if the shaft needs shortening. we are hoping the shaft will not need shortening at all.

 

watch this space in the near future.

 

(near future being when i am ready to remove the old engine, and have procured an electric pas setup and the neccessary high pressure hoses)

 

 

J

[davev 1]

Well what do you want to know? What's not written in here that you need help on?

 

Reading does not hurt.

 

One piece of advice I can add is that depending on your set-up (e.g. mine is a custom subframe to fit 306 wishbones), as part of trying to avoid/minimise bump steer you may need to raise your rack; I did. This means the amount you shorten the bottom UJ'd Xsara steering rack shaft to fit the 205 column can be different, i.e. it needs to be tailored to fit.

 

to be more precise. its a xsara rack(presume its vts as he bought it) and its going on a standard 205gti subframe. i can see it will mount straight up to the subframe, and i know about the track rod and ends. my problem is in the uj section. with the car being non pas the lower uj section is way to big/long.

 

so i was wondering if anyone managed to find a suitable replacement from a donor car, or maybe if theres a guide on whats got to be cut and where. as i cant make it out from whats already in the post.

 

also i was thinking, would the uj off a pas 205 fit? ive never saw a 205 pas rack so i could be talking ubbar poo, let alone how hard it would be to find one in a scrappy

[Paul_13 212 1 Cars]

also i was thinking, would the uj off a pas 205 fit? ive never saw a 205 pas rack so i could be talking ubbar poo, let alone how hard it would be to find one in a scrappy

 

Read what I gave to Justin above

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

So does this "quick rack" come on all xsaras or just the vts ones?

[davev 1]

Read what I gave to Justin above

 

but what is it from? or are you hinting its from a pas 205?

[Paul_13 212 1 Cars]

but what is it from? or are you hinting its from a pas 205?

 

Yea mate, sorry was in a rush when I popped on here last.

 

The link is from a L plate STDT 205 PAS. Basically a square drive PAS link. (Which Anthony didn't think existed )

[jorg 11]

I thought I would bump this thread up rather than start a new one. I am having a problem with the vts steering ram hitting part of the subframe when turning left.

 

When looking on servicebox I see that the powersteering racks seem to have a fixing spacer. Would I be right in saying the this goes between the rack and subframe and once fitted I should have enough clearance for the ram arm to fully extend?

 

Its an Xsports reinforced subframe I am fitting it to you see and I only have my old subframe with a non p/s rack to use as a guide. I don't believe its a problem with the subframe as I have compared both of them and where the ram hits (furthest back wishbone cover thing) they are the same.

 

If its just a simple trial and error process til its right thats not a problem but I thought I would ask in here first before I start.

 

Thanks

 

jorg

[Galifrey 1]

So does this "quick rack" come on all xsaras or just the vts ones?

 

Only the VTS

[DrSarty 90 1 Cars]

Only the VTS

 

And only the Mk I's.

[Alastairh 47]

And only the Mk I's.

 

Are you sure?

 

Shameless plug, but I have a spare VTS rack and lower uj if anyone needs one.

 

Al

[DrSarty 90 1 Cars]

Are you sure?

 

Fairly sure Al. Had to do lots of research to find mine; in fact Galifrey, JimiSTDT and I all looked into it a lot.

 

It certainly seems that only Mk Is (which was pre '92 IIRC) had the 2.8-2.9 turns L-to-L. Later versions seemed to go to 3.3.

 

Other diesel VTS style versions in other countries had the 2.8 rack but that's not sold over here AFAIK.

 

Still not a lot, but the other racks in a 205 as Kieran says make it feel like a tractor in comparison.

 

EDITED to include Welshy in all of the research.

Edited March 2, 2010 by DrSarty

[welshpug 1,668]

they do indeed have different part numbers for the Phase 2.

[matthewm 1]

What you say pre '92 is that a typo?? Any idea what year they change from phase 1 to phase 2?

Edited March 2, 2010 by matthewm

[Paul_13 212 1 Cars]

Have you tried the column link I sorted for you yet Justin?

[Alastairh 47]

Personally, I'm not convinced. I had this Convo with jonnie a while back as both of us have owned phase 2 vts's and I physically measured mine and it was fine. Remember, there are a few suspension tweaks with the phase 2 and 2.5 vts, for example loosing a mill or 2 off the tb's and arb for example.

 

Al

[DrSarty 90 1 Cars]

What you say pre '92 is that a typo?? Any idea what year they change from phase 1 to phase 2?

 

Yes and no. I can't remember.

[Alastairh 47]

Around 2000 to 2001. The bug eyes and 3 plugs on the ecu in the engine bay give it away!

 

Al

[DrSarty 90 1 Cars]

Around 2000 to 2001. The bug eyes and 3 plugs on the ecu in the engine bay give it away!

 

Al

 

I knew there was a '2' in it. Had a brain fart.

[matthewm 1]

Cheers chaps - have found a rack but theres no UJ shaft with it. Be interested to see if the 205 square PAS shaft that Paul13 mentioned does the trick, so I can go ahead and get the rack and try and source a shaft.