Mx5 steering rack. Will it fit ?

[jason 82]

Don't know if anybody can help at all please ? Will the mk1 mx5 steering rack fit the roadster please ? And also, in the gillham online mx5 build manual, it says that you can use mx5 uprights. But, this doesn't seem right, because the pictures show a suspension bracket at the top, and the mx5 struts have a single nut at the top. Any help would be really appreciated. These build manuals are really vague on the important stuff, and go into depth on the less important stuff. :eek:

[Davidbolam]

The mx5 uprights are used front and back. Not sute about the seering rack but I have used an escort quick rack on mine.

David

[vmax1974]

The mx5 uprights can be used with the wishbones as in the mx5 plans the mx5 strut is not used so the single nut wont be an issue

Cant say about the steering rack as I too am using the mk2 escort rack

[jason 82]

Cheers chaps. Are you using coil overs on the mx5 kit then ? I was planning on using an escort 2.9 turn quick steering rack, but the urge to scavenge as much as possible from my mx5. I am just tight. Lol

[Numplumb]

I would like the answer to that as well, I'm using the mx5 pedals in mine to save money also pedals hung from the top as in most cars is more comfortable to use than floor mounted IMHO
Regards Mick.

[jason 82]

Top man. Thanks for that Phil;)

[StruveD]

My understanding is that the miata rack needs to be shortened by about 5.5 inches, to prevent bump steer. Don't know if you guys have the Keith Tanner book, but he goes into it in detail. I'm debating this myself, since the selection of OE steering racks that are right from the start is limited. But I dont know if I trust my welding skill enough for such a key piece of hardware.

[jason 82]

See what phil says about it. Hopefully there is a really simple solution. :rolleyes:

[PorkChop]

Shortening the MX5 rack, as said, is common in North America.

But they don't have a plentiful supply of mark 2 Escort racks over there. We do and they're not expensive new. You would also need to be careful as welding mods to the racks aren't allowed for the IVA or MOT; this is why rack extensions are screw-on rather than weld-on.

And the build manual that Andy originally wrote is to be used alongside the book, not a replacement.

[Stot]

The MX5 rack is about 7" too long for a roadster/locost so its quite a bit of work to shorten it.

Heres an example. (http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14419)

Doable but you need a fairly large lathe really.

Cheers
Stot

[PorkChop]

The MX5 rack is about 7" too long for a roadster/locost so its quite a bit of work to shorten it.

Heres an example. (http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14419)

Doable but you need a fairly large lathe really.

Cheers
Stot

Wouldn't that fail MOT and IVA due to the welding to the rack body?

[Stot]

I wouldn't have thought so, I would have thought that was to do with the moving parts inside rather than the casing.

Worth asking an MOTer though!

Cheers
Stot

[StruveD]

Been researching this today a bit as well, since i'm getting to this stage. It seems the better option to welding, is to take it to a machine shop, cut 5-7" of the rack then have them machine and rethread it. Then the only thing your welding is the casing.

[jason 82]

Thanks for that pork chop. Won't be using that then. :)