Manual rack issues

Hey guys,

I decided to get to this rack swap finally since my car is running again.

I have a 1986 944 turbo and am trying to install a manual rack in the car. Upon inspection of the manual rack I noticed that one side has a internal threaded outer tie rod and the other sided uses the original external threaded outer tie rod.

Also The rubber bushings that are used along with the clamps to hold the rack to the crossmember I am having an issue with. The one closest to the steering gear fits properly but the one on the end of the rack towards the passenger side is too big to grab the smaller diameter rack.

If there is any thing you can do to point me in the right direction I would be most appreciative.

I thought it would be a quick in out. Now my car is stuck on the stands until I figure this situation out.

Bushing caps are the same, bushings are not. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] Call Ian at 944online, he will be able to help you out. Sounds like someone used an OE tie rod on one side and an aftermarket one like the unit that Ian sells which utilizes the power steering rod end.

Ian know just about as much about 944s as anyone.

Bummer you're missing parts. I'll echo what Marc said. I used the VW tie rods from Moog that adapt to the late offset ends, both were the same attachment style to the rack. The bushings differ manual to power racks, but the aluminum bushing caps are the same.

Rich

Hey Collin, Looks like Someone swapped in a manual rack and didn't change the rubbers (The Power rack rubber bushing on the pass. side is larger Dia.) I found this out when I modded a set of manual polyurethane bushings to fit the Power rack.

I have a set of early offset tie rods for a manual rack with female ends that are yours for shipping cost if you want them. I didn't feel any play in the joints when they were removed from the rack. There are tie rod ends too, but they need boots.

Prothane part # 22-701 is a perfect fit for the Manual rack bushings.
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I saw some blue ones but red would go with the car. where did you find those bushings at robert.

Not correct picture, but these VW Bushings fit the 944 manual racks....

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Wonder if any of the Jetta manual racks fit the 944 i.e. the '91 . . . .

marc a wrote:Wonder if any of the Jetta manual racks fit the 944 i.e. the '91 . . . .

Nope, been there and checked that before.
Though the 944 rack was definitely based on the MK1 VW rack the pinion is housed on the flip side.

Jetta is rear steer. 944 is front steer. Many moons ago someone brought an early Tercel manual rack to me and I made a conversion steering shaft for it (I don't remember the spline ct). I just recall him saying that it was a ratio between the 944 manual and 944 power rack. The ends fit the 944 inner power tie rods too.

I just put the prothane units on my car (manual rack). Tight fit, but they go on with some effort. I got mine from Amazon for cheap (less than $20 shipped).

xschop wrote:Jetta is rear steer. 944 is front steer. Many moons ago someone brought an early Tercel manual rack to me and I made a conversion steering shaft for it (I don't remember the spline ct). I just recall him saying that it was a ratio between the 944 manual and 944 power rack. The ends fit the 944 inner power tie rods too.

Maybe with the borgeson part selection this could be an alternative.