Now that I have the wide 17" wheels on my Cougar, I'm starting to notice that my steering isn't as precise as it should be. Rack and tie-rods seem good, they are about 7 years old. But my steering shaft is original and has almost 200k on it. This could be a safety issue at some point.
Has anyone use the MM steering shaft (MMST-11) and what are its pros/cons? I'm wondering if an OEM replacement with fresh rubber rag joints is good enough.
My buddy has one on his Stang. It's a nice unit. The telescoping shaft makes the install a whole lot easier. I have a Flaming River steering shaft. I like it a lot. Can't really think of any cons.
I've got the MMST-13 with a 2000 Cobra rack on my 86 and the steering is razor sharp. I didn't install it so I couldn't tell you if there were any issues with that.
That steering shaft, and some good bushings will make your steering much more crisp.
Personally, since im throwing ride quality out the window on my red bird, ill be using that steering shaft, and aluminum rack bushings, but since you are probably more concerned with ride than i am, some poly or similar bushings would suit you well.
I didn't notice any increase in NVH with aluminum rack bushings.
A 2000 Cobra rack huh?? Is it a quicker ratio than 15:1?? I might need to change mine if it is :D
I had thought going the aluminum bushing route, but was talked into urethane bushings instead :( Oh well never too late to get them ;)
I pretty sure it's 15:1 like the rest of them. I dont know why the previous owner installed one. I'd call Maximum Motorsport to see if there is any advantage to it. They'd know the answer... or Chuck might know.
What I do know is that my steering on my 86 is MUCH quicker and far more responsive than the stock set up on my 87 (which has a 15:1 t-bird rack, rag joints and oil soaked mush bushings). And that's with much bigger tires on the 86 (245's on 17's vs 225's on 16's). I dont know if it has more to do with the steering shaft and aluminum rack bushings or if the Cobra rack is quicker... All I know is that it's a night and day difference.
I'll be getting aluminum to replace the rack bushings on my 87 eventually.
I think the rubber rack bushings are there to absorb the impact a wheel would encounter when hitting a curb instead of bending a tie rod end.
If I hit a curb I deserve to bend a tie rod:hick:
Very interesting. So we are in agreement that the shaft will fit in these cars with little/no problems? I'd hate to buy it and have it not fit.
I'm keeping rubber bushings all around on my car...I just want tighter steering with a little more feel, especially on-center feel.
Mustangs and our cars have (virtually) the same engine bay dimensions. The only thing you should be concerned about is NVH. From what I've read, the shafts don't introduce much NVH.
I can add to the feedback this week when I install my MMST-13 and '03 Cobra rack.
Regarding SN95 racks...
-15:1 ratio (to the best of my knowledge)
-All racks are "stiffer" than their Fox counterparts (less power assist)
-'03-'04 Cobra racks are stiffer than all other SN95 racks except...
-The '00R is the stiffest SN95 rack. It also has a revised valve that gives a more linear steering response.
-'99-'01 V8 cars all have the same rack
So, in order from "best" to "good"
'00R
'03-'04 Cobra
'02-'04 GT/Mach1
'99-'01 V8
steering shaft makes a big difference... its night and day, i went through the same thing last year, only advice is, i'd have it powder coated or painted because its shipped bare and will rust up. it also dosnt rub nearly as much on my long tube headers.
In my case, the adjustable shaft didn't help installation at all. With the shaft full collapsed, I still had to unbolt the rack and pull it out to install the shaft.
The MMST-13's clocking mechanism is nice though. If I made the tie-rods equal length during an alignment (for mirrored bumpsteer), my steering wheel used to be pen 15ed about 15 degrees to the right. Now I can clock it so the steering wheel is in the proper position.
The shaft didn't add any detrimental NVH. I also added a '03-'04 Cobra rack, so the steering improvement is a combination of both installations. I still have rubber bushings (which will be upgraded to aluminum in the not too distant future).
The steering is a good bit stiffer at parking lot speeds.
You have a much greater feel of the road when going over rough patches. Intead of just riding over it numbly, you get much more feedback to what the wheel is doing. Your stereotypical Buick driver wouldn't find this pleasing, but not I.
It is a marked improvement. Worth $600? Jury is still out.
Jury came back...
Worth it!
Very cool. I will probably buy one this week, for the stock rack.
Not too much to show...
Here's a comparison of the two. The piece that goes into the column isn't pictured. You can find its likeness on MM website.
(http://www.griffshp.com/belchja/forums/shaft/shaft%20012_r.jpg)
Installed.
The shaft is collapsible, which a nice thing to have to allow for car-to-car differences.
(http://www.griffshp.com/belchja/forums/shaft/shaft%20045_r.jpg)
Exactly what I was looking for pic-wise. Thanks!