Steering Rack

[Custom Trendz Inc.]

Which steering rack will fit my 1997 subaru legacy 2.5gt? I want something faster preferrably but i do not want to bend any hoses or any of that crap. So any idea what fits right in? I prefer not to have to find another 2nd gen but to get something off a newer wrx instead. Thank you!

[chuckthefuk]

Gen 1 impreza RS will fit. Lone_Legacy had this done and he said that everything is plug n' play
http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php ... 40#p244240 (http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?p=244240#p244240)

The GC rack is apparently shorter but nothing compared to a sti quick ratio rack...

The STi racks will bolt in but some of the lines do need to be reworked.
-Chuck

[Garrison]

Any impreza rack from 95-2001 will bolt right up and give a slight increase in the turning radius. I would also recommend purchasing whiteline #KR202 bushings to use on it as well. Makes the car feel like it's new, at the steering wheel.

[Custom Trendz Inc.]

Gen 1 impreza RS will fit. Lone_Legacy had this done and he said that everything is plug n' play
http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php ... 40#p244240 (http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?p=244240#p244240)

The GC rack is apparently shorter but nothing compared to a sti quick ratio rack...

The STi racks will bolt in but some of the lines do need to be reworked.
-Chuck

How do I need to rework them? New hoses or bending of the steel lines?

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

[chuckthefuk]

The problem with wrx / sti rack is how it mounts in the subframe.. Lots of people have swapped to a turbo cross member (subframe) to avoid any issues with mounting. Lines are bent slightly and the brackets that mount to the rack are different between GD WRX and GD STi

Some members have sent their legacy rack and sti rack to a rebuilder and ask them to make a hybrid unit. Its money for sure but worth it in the end.

-chuck

[Custom Trendz Inc.]

Hmm, im going to try to find a wrx one then because its my DD. Thanks for the help guys. Mine had torn boots on one side i fixed, and now the other side is ripped and actually leaking. I also have "walk" on the highway and over bumps. I thought it was a tie rod end but might as well get the whole steering assembly changed with new white-line bushings.

[chuckthefuk]

when ur steering wheel is locked with the key out of the ignition do you have play or is it solid ?

[Custom Trendz Inc.]

I believe I have play

[chuckthefuk]

The side-to-side play is not the rack.. its the U-joint or intermediate shaft in the steering column. Where the rack and column meet the U-joint acts as a pivot to clear the drastic angle.

I have yet to change one out.. I usually just find a steering column from the junk yard that has no play and swap that.

My 96' Outback has extreme play in the wheel.. about 2-3" left to right.. I am use to it but anyone who drives my car is scared straight...

This is a 05' Sti column but the design is the same since the 80's
http://importsview.com/misc/2005-sti-steering-column-u-joint.jpg

Cheers
-Chuck

[chuckthefuk]

Also I would like to add.

If you choose the turbo subframe swap and choose to use the WRX/STi rack then the intermediate shaft has to be modified.

legacy steering column -> 1st half of legacy intermediate shaft -> cut and weld the 2nd half of the STi intermediate shaft -> mount to sti rack.

This is how i got away with using a complete 04' mechanical swap but keeping my legacy column, stalks, ignition, wheel, steering column cover.

-Chuck

[Custom Trendz Inc.]

I will check out to see where my play is, but i know for sure my wheels have play side to side and make a knocking noise when off the ground.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPKHOzm4 ... Eq0r7MCSLl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPKHOzm4WzE&context=C386f470ADOEgsToPDskIMwq_5FgJCkLEq0r7MCSLl)

I know its not wheel bearings in that video that are moving like that and making the noise.

[chuckthefuk]

So because there is no noise you ruling out the wheel bearing?

Thats a scary amount of play in your wheel.

..

[Custom Trendz Inc.]

no one was holding the steering wheel in that video and it was me wobbling the wheel left and right. The reason I say it is not wheel bearings is because it doesn't do that when someone actually holds the wheel.

[chuckthefuk]

Process of elimination leads me to believe its the ball joints/tie rods.. its rare for the control arm to be loose same with a hub.

[Custom Trendz Inc.]

Im going to check tie rods for play today/tomorow. I believe I noticed that one of the tie rods was doing this but never got around to replacing it. Thats why I think I should buy a rack and new tie rods. Should I buy a new or used rack? And if so are there companies of racks that people prefer? Or is OEM only option?(hopefully)

Edit:
I'm in my car right now and here's a video. The keys are out of the ignition and when I wobble the wheel it makes the same noise you see in the first video. I feel the knocking when my left foot is on the dead pedal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZAmmKf ... ata_player (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZAmmKfQy_E&feature=youtube_gdata_player)

[jjay03]

I have a leaky steering rack also. I got a new pump, reservoir, and lines so now all I need is the pump to swap everything out at once. Just trying to decide on what remaned rack to get.

[Garrison]

Go impreza, it's worth it.

[jjay03]

I checked advance auto parts and they have the same part number for the impreza rack

[Garrison]

Either they only sell one rack, or the counter is mistaken. While they are interchangeable, the impreza rack has a noticeably quicker turning ratio when compared to the legacy. Add some new hardened bushings and boom, you're set.

[jjay03]

Checked the Oreilly site too and they also list the same rack for a 98 Legacy GT and a 01 Impreza RS.

[Garrison]

Dunno what to tell you other than they must only stock one rack. I got mine from a local scrap yard for $50 and it had 80k on it at the time. I replaced the ok-ish stock bushings with a pair of whiteline and I'm not looking back. I love the responsiveness of the wheel.

[jjay03]

I noticed rockauto has different part number for the impreza and legacy. Do you know what the difference in the ratio is? They want quite a bit more for the impreza rack.

[chuckthefuk]

JDM 89-94 BC = 16.5:1
USDM 95-99 LGT = 16.5:1
USDM 96-99 LGT = 19:1
USDM 00-04 LGT = 16.5:1
USDM 00-04 LGT = 19:1
USDM 02-05' RS = 16.5:1
USDM 02-05' WRX = 16.5:1
USDM 98+ Fozzy = 19:1
USDM 03+ Fozzy = 16.5:1
USDM 03+ Fozzy XT = 17:1
USDM 06-07' WRX = 15.2:1
USDM 04' STi = 15.2:1
JDM 02' STi Spec C = 13:1
Q-Rack @ 12.5:1 and 11.5:1.

So in the end its all bullshit unless you have an Outback.. 16.5:1 is the common ratio released in all the non-fun subarus..

-Chuck

[kunchris]

i have an interesting play on my steering column. sometimes its so bad my turn signal self cancelling doesnt work. my steering wheel column moves in and out of the dashboard like an inch. if you pull it or push it. sometimes it would move so far in, that ot would touch the plastic cover over the column. any ideas. new rack bushings, new tierods and balljoints.

[jjay03]

If the wheel moves out of the column like that sounds like the column is worn out.

[chuckthefuk]

Sounds like the two mounting points for the column (under the cluster) are damaged, loose, missing bolts, etc..

OR

It's possible your steering column u-joint is worn out...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

[kunchris]

If the wheel moves out of the column like that sounds like the column is worn out.
what could possibly wear out on the steering column. i just installed a relatively new U-JOINT from a GT-B legacy. and its fully tight. this came after i tried removing my steering wheel to align it after doing my tie rod ends.
it was a pain to remove even after spraying some WD-40 in there. lately it been jutting in or out as if it is "reach" adjustable for the newer cars. like an inch or so. :smt021

[kunchris]

Sounds like the two mounting points for the column (under the cluster) are damaged, loose, missing bolts, etc..

OR

It's possible your steering column u-joint is worn out...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/
i have installed a relatively new u joint in there form a GT-B BG5, the BH5 GT-B with the damping bushing wouldn't fit cox on my column because the teeth are different
(sorry for the thread hi jack)

[jjay03]

If the wheel moves out of the column like that sounds like the column is worn out.
what could possibly wear out on the steering column. i just installed a relatively new U-JOINT from a GT-B legacy. and its fully tight. this came after i tried removing my steering wheel to align it after doing my tie rod ends.
it was a pain to remove even after spraying some WD-40 in there. lately it been jutting in or out as if it is "reach" adjustable for the newer cars. like an inch or so. :smt021

With a newer column I dont think that should happen unless the whole thing is loose or something inside the column is loose or the bearing is worn. I know in older chevys 80-90's there was a locking plate down inside the column that could come loose and cause this same thing.

[chuckthefuk]

I still believe your mounting points are loose or broken.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/03/366494934101png-1.jpg

#6

[kunchris]

I still believe your mounting points are loose or broken.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/03/366494934101png-1.jpg

#6
this diagram saved me a weeks of ulcers. dash coming out this weekend

[chuckthefuk]

#1) download the service manual from my signature / literature manual section.
#2) http://opposedforces.com/parts/legacy/us_b11/

Good luck :-D

[jjay03]

Removed my stocking steering rack last night it was pretty rubbish lol. Waiting on some part but hopefully I can have it back on the road next week.

[kunchris]

#1) download the service manual from my signature / literature manual section.
#2) http://opposedforces.com/parts/legacy/us_b11/

Good luck :-D
is part number 2 as shown on the diagram a single piece?? i removed the steering wheel, and the column covers and shook moved the column in and out, nothing seemed to happen visually under the dashboard. could it be the collapsible steering mechanism. oh an all the mounting points are secured. any one ever had this sort of problem?

[mike-tracy]

JDM 89-94 BC = 16.5:1
USDM 95-99 LGT = 16.5:1
USDM 96-99 LGT = 19:1
USDM 00-04 LGT = 16.5:1
USDM 00-04 LGT = 19:1
USDM 02-05' RS = 16.5:1
USDM 02-05' WRX = 16.5:1
USDM 98+ Fozzy = 19:1
USDM 03+ Fozzy = 16.5:1
USDM 03+ Fozzy XT = 17:1
USDM 06-07' WRX = 15.2:1
USDM 04' STi = 15.2:1
JDM 02' STi Spec C = 13:1
Q-Rack @ 12.5:1 and 11.5:1.

So in the end its all bullshit unless you have an Outback.. 16.5:1 is the common ratio released in all the non-fun subarus..

-Chuck

The 91-94 Turbos got a 16:1 rack. Not a gigantic improvement, but noticeable nonetheless when you swap it in a car you've owned for a while...