Does anyone do a rack and pinnion steering conversion ?

[BARKING MARK]

Hi Mattp, with regard to the Lite-steer conversion having looked at both early and late Bay steering boxes, I think you are right it will be a case of reducing the ribs on the late bay box. Hmm i wonder what that will do to the strength of the box ? :?

 

[toffo24]

Hi chaps , I know Neil personally at lite steer, top bloke and a nice piece of kit, well worth giving him a call. I am not sure which components are used but he has a set up on his own bus which he drives around in daily.

Give him a call well worth a look

Pete

 

[r73]

CE are currently testing bumpsteer issues - it wont be for sale until theyre happy. Least thats pretty much what it said on the blurb they had attached to it at the show

 

[mattp]

CE are currently testing bumpsteer issues - it wont be for sale until theyre happy. Least thats pretty much what it said on the blurb they had attached to it at the show

Thought as much from looking at it, didn't read the blurb

 

[philstar]

Resurrecting this decade-old thread!

For those with a knackered steering box, we have the following options in 2024:

1. Rebuild the existing steering box
Approx £UNKNOWN
Can this be done to a high enough standard? Who would be best to approach for this work?

2. Buy a replacement rebuilt steering box
Approx £625 from JustKampers
How good are these?

3. Lite-steer power steering
Approx £1000 (https://litesteer.com/products/campervans/)
NOT an option—requires a working steering box to complement.

4. Creative engineering steering rack kit
Approx £1750 (https://creative-engineering.com/product/steering-rack-kit-49-54-copy/)
Does this fit the Early Bay?

5. Rustys Rack and Pinion kit
Approx £2500 (https://www.rustys.nl/r-s-t-2/)
I'm leaning towards this kit, Arnold seems very helpful so far.

6. Red9Design Bay Twin Wishbone Coilover Suspension
Approx £3000 (https://red9design.co.uk/type2.htm)
Replaces the entire front beam, and also provides coil-over suspension and late-bay spindles, so it will require purchasing new brakes.

7. Bedford steering rack conversion
£Unknown VWJIM (https://www.vwjim.co.uk/ourshop/cat_334697-Steering.html)
After speaking with VWJIM, he hasn't made any modified arms for years due to a lack of demand.

Are there any other/better options? I have two steering boxes, the first failed MOT for too much play, I have had the seals replaced and refilled with gear oil but it grinds when it's tightened enough to remove the slack and becomes impossible to steer. The replacement I purchased is worse.

I need to drive this bus!

 

[67panel]

Have a look at my bus build Spliffy the panel , home brew Polo rack and 90deg Renault Master box.

 

[NigelDenham]

Resurrecting this decade-old thread!

For those with a knackered steering box, we have the following options in 2024:

1. Rebuild the existing steering box
Approx £UNKNOWN
Can this be done to a high enough standard? Who would be best to approach for this work?

2. Buy a replacement rebuilt steering box
Approx £625 from JustKampers
How good are these?

3. Lite-steer power steering
Approx £1000 (https://litesteer.com/products/campervans/)
NOT an option—requires a working steering box to complement.

4. Creative engineering steering rack kit
Approx £1750 (https://creative-engineering.com/product/steering-rack-kit-49-54-copy/)
Does this fit the Early Bay?

5. Rustys Rack and Pinion kit
Approx £2500 (https://www.rustys.nl/r-s-t-2/)
I'm leaning towards this kit, Arnold seems very helpful so far.

6. Red9Design Bay Twin Wishbone Coilover Suspension
Approx £3000 (https://red9design.co.uk/type2.htm)
Replaces the entire front beam, and also provides coil-over suspension and late-bay spindles, so it will require purchasing new brakes.

7. Bedford steering rack conversion
£Unknown VWJIM (https://www.vwjim.co.uk/ourshop/cat_334697-Steering.html)
After speaking with VWJIM, he hasn't made any modified arms for years due to a lack of demand.

Are there any other/better options? I have two steering boxes, the first failed MOT for too much play, I have had the seals replaced and refilled with gear oil but it grinds when it's tightened enough to remove the slack and becomes impossible to steer. The replacement I purchased is worse.

I need to drive this bus!

I was looking into this a while back, quite liked the Suzuki/Bedford rascal rack, as when you see the setup on the donor the whole steering layout is so similar to vw’s. But, good racks are hard to come by, and it seems modded arms are needed. I’ve seen threads with people using Astra racks or similar, but you have to use a bevel box.
I believe the issue with original boxes is that if you haven’t got a good worm then no-one seems to be making replacements.
One thought….I rebuilt my box in the end- did you ensure you adjusted it whilst the worm is positioned in the ‘middle’ of its travel (where it should be with wheels dead ahead), as there is a slightly raised portion in the machining of the worm. The idea being it’s adjusted at that point to have very slight resistance, but when turning a tighter corner it slackens off. With the steering arm disconnected you can feel this as you turn the wheel through its range of movement.
Mine was way out and improved vastly when I did this. If you adjust it on the ‘looser’ area either side it will pinch or lock up as it passes through the centre portion.

I think Schofields mentioned they look through their stock of worms to find the best match when refurbishing boxes? Might be worth a call if they still do?

 

[philstar]

Thanks Nigel, yeah I remember adjusting the box several times to get it anywhere half-decent.

I've just had a read of Schofields box listing and it sounds promising;

https://www.alanhschofield.com/ourparts/prod_6512289-Steering-Box-6872-RHD-Rebuilt-214415049E.html

Ideally, I would stick with an original box rather than invest time and money into a conversion, it just ends up pushing other things (like a supercharger!) down the queue at the end of the day.