steering rack

Topic: steering rack (Read 1375 times) previous topic - next topic

steering rack

January 11, 2007, 03:41:18 AM

can i run an 87 tbird steering rack on an 87 fox mustang?

and i have herd you can convert the stock mustang racks to a manule rack by looping the fluid send and return lines. does this work on a tbird rack too? i no it isnt the right way to do it but if i can make it work for now that would be sweet.

steering rack

Reply #1 – January 11, 2007, 07:55:06 AM

You might have to change the inner tie rods and get a bump steer kit... and unless you are an NFL lineman you dont want to bypass the power steering on a power rack. I tried it when I had a power steering leak and could barely turn the wheel... I fixed my power steering leak. It was easier.

steering rack

Reply #2 – January 11, 2007, 09:14:23 AM

Changing the inner tie rods would be the only thing you might have to do.
No bump steer kit needed.

steering rack

Reply #3 – January 11, 2007, 09:50:05 AM

Quote from: bigbob;123144

can i run an 87 tbird steering rack on an 87 fox mustang?

Yes, they both use the same inner and outer tie rods. It should be a direct bolt-in.

steering rack

Reply #4 – January 11, 2007, 11:52:46 PM

thanks guys

steering rack

Reply #5 – January 12, 2007, 01:25:04 PM

It has been my experience that the only change would be the outer tie rod ends. Just take your T-bird ones off and put them on the Mustang rack. Also, if you have the non-hipo rack (non 15:1 ) as found on all foxes without a handling pkg., you can loop the pressure lines around so the fluid stays inside. I did this for years with my 460 Fairmont and it worked fine. But then again I ran skinnies.

steering rack

Reply #6 – January 12, 2007, 02:06:58 PM

Quote from: 83-88T-Bird Guy;123364

It has been my experience that the only change would be the outer tie rod ends. Just take your T-bird ones off and put them on the Mustang rack.

The outer tie-rods should be the same between the two.

steering rack

Reply #7 – January 12, 2007, 02:53:29 PM

I think the Fox Mustang outer tie rods are shorter...also I think they had grease fittings. My buddy's mostly-stock '92 LX 5.0 does, anyhow.

steering rack

Reply #8 – January 12, 2007, 03:18:03 PM

I'm just going off parts catalogs :hick:

Aftermarket tie-rod ends are the same though. Motorcraft also shows the same tie-rod ends for both applications.
It would make sense for factory original tie-rods to be identical. Early 'birds/Cats (83-85) have the same LCAs/K-member/spindles as early Mustangs (82-85).
All 83-88 cars use the same tie-rod ends.

In other random news, I should be getting my '03 Cobra rack in next Tuesday. I'll 'prove' that the tie-rod threads are/aren't metric at that time.

Well, I'm an idiot. Who knows how many tie-rods types there used to be since the aftermarket has standardized everything to one piece. I do the '90-'93 Mustangs had a longer TRE than previous models. Part # F0ZZ-3A130-A...from the dealer only.