Revol Engineering

[Skyggen]

Anyone know about this product ?

 

[K@rlos]

No but looks well engineered, be keen to hear the reviews

 

[ozziedog]

Is this something that you’ve made? Gotta say the same as ^^^ it looks pretty good. So what can you tell us about it?

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,Anybody know about it ?

 

[sparkywig]

There's a similar set up, around £2500 plus import duties and tax.

https://www.rustys.nl/nl-rack-pinion-stuurhuis/eng-rack-pinion-steering/

 

[67panel]

Looks much like the setup I made but used a Renault Master 90deg box and polo rack.

 

[pierrox]

They've been presenting it on FB for a while. The idea is nice but you're only bypassing the steering box, all the rods and other bits of VW hardware stay the same. You also end up with a rack&pinion installed sideways, with a protruding part towards the front.

The solution from the Netherlands seems more advanced, with all the elements replaced and the rack/pinion system working as it's meant to be: directly connected to the wheels.

 

[Graham L]

They've been presenting it on FB for a while. The idea is nice but you're only bypassing the steering box, all the rods and other bits of VW hardware stay the same. You also end up with a rack&pinion installed sideways, with a protruding part towards the front.

The solution from the Netherlands seems more advanced, with all the elements replaced and the rack/pinion system working as it's meant to be: directly connected to the wheels.

The problem with the set up in the photo is that it will create bump steer as the rack ends are working in a different plane to the trailing arms, the only way a rack placed there really works if its centre fed with tie rods out to the spindles from the centre of the rack like the original set up so the system using what I think is a polo rack is more in keeping the suspension geometry correct.

 

[milfredo]

I think i'd prefer a well adjusted steering box than that setup!

 

[NigelDenham]

The problem with the set up in the photo is that it will create bump steer as the rack ends are working in a different plane to the trailing arms, the only way a rack placed there really works if its centre fed with tie rods out to the spindles from the centre of the rack like the original set up so the system using what I think is a polo rack is more in keeping the suspension geometry correct.

Yes, I agree it looks like a candidate for inducing bump steer. I believe there are Astra racks that have a centre take-off and have been used on splitties. I did come across a 2005 Honda Civic rack, with central take-off for the track rods and that also had electric PAS built on to it……I’ve thought about that rack several times. If it worked it might just be the best of everything.

 

[Graham L]

Yes, I agree it looks like a candidate for inducing bump steer. I believe there are Astra racks that have a centre take-off and have been used on splitties. I did come across a 2005 Honda Civic rack, with central take-off for the track rods and that also had electric PAS built on to it……I’ve thought about that rack several times. If it worked it might just be the best of everything.

The popular conversion a few years ago was the Bedford Rascal/Suzuki Carry as that works in the same way as the one at the top of this thread, a push you pull me kind of rack.
Yes the Astra one Ive seen a few times as you say thats centre fed as is the Saxo/106 rack which I have somewhere as well.

 

[NigelDenham]

The popular conversion a few years ago was the Bedford Rascal/Suzuki Carry as that works in the same way as the one at the top of this thread, a push you pull me kind of rack.
Yes the Astra one Ive seen a few times as you say thats centre fed as is the Saxo/106 rack which I have somewhere as well.

The only thing I don’t like about the “full” rack conversions is the use of a bevel box, I wonder whether say, 3 uj’s might be an alternative to get the steering input back in the direction of the rack. I know a few hot rods back in the day had quite a convoluted route! Seemed to work ok though (in most cases). I think every method of doing it is compromised in some way

 

[Skyggen]

This set is for bay bussen t2A and t2B, the picture is for T1.
I have order the set, Im tired of the original early steering box, and been driving with an CSP/TWR steeringbox last summer 5500km to Nordkap and back to DK and it was worn up, so hopefully this works.

https://www.revol-engineering.com/

 

[DelBoyIII]

This set is for bay bussen t2A and t2B, the picture is for T1.
I have order the set, Im tired of the original early steering box, and been driving with an CSP/TWR steeringbox last summer 5500km to Nordkap and back to DK and it was worn up, so hopefully this works.

https://www.revol-engineering.com/

 

[DelBoyIII]

Hi, I read through this thread and thought it might be of interest to show the mod I did for my RHD '62 Splitscreen Bus. I used a Cavalier/Astra rack, stock VW track rods, VW bevel box from a T2A, Land Rover connecting shaft, and a new steering column with a U/J at the lower end. I designed all the brackets to mount the rack and the bevel box and had them made locally.

The rack is attached behind and slightly below the lower beam tube to avoid having to worry about the connecting shaft interfering with the brake master cylinder. It hangs literally a cm below the lowest point of the beam (the centre) and so provides a similar amount of ground clearance as the stock steering setup.

This steering arrangement works extremely well. There is no play anywhere in the system and it requires slightly less effort at the wheel compared with the stock system, mainly due to the lower gearing of the rack+bevel box combination.

For safety reasons and peace of mind I used only components that were stock products by major vehicle manufacturers and I deliberately over-engineered my own mounting brackets to avoid creating any potential weak point in the overall arrangement. I have had the Bus MOT'd every year since 2012 and there has never been any issue with the steering setup.

Hope this is useful info for anyone considering going down the rack and pinion path.

Dave.

 

[the bus driver]

Hello chaps, I'm not a regular forum user and neither own a baywindowbus.. However, I run a Rusty's RnP steering setup and happy to give anyone advice about it..
I drive a split Highroof more info on insta @stella_lefthome
I do quite a bit of mileage with my bus so I've used the setup well.
I installed the Rack n Steering setup after I'd refurbished my original steering box with NOS peg, bearings, bushes and output shaft but found my steering box still sluggish and heavy steering.. I did manage to reduce the play significantly.
So not long after I installed a Rusty's RnP setup and although I never liked the idea about the setup as I've always kind of liked the classic old feeling of driving my bus but man I wish I'd done this 250000km's ago!!
Perhaps the most significant difference is how's it's reduced the neck/shoulder pain I used to get on roadtrips tremendously ( I usually do +12hr drives in one go). My bus is lowered and get's even lower on the trips from all the crap I carry with me so it can be quite exhaustive having to read the road all the time and I'm sure most of you will know the typical non stop left and right wiggles you do when trying to keep your bus straight on the motorway.. well that's history now! (not the road reading tho )
Another benefit is the road feedback I get, It's more responsive and accurate.
In terms of bump steer, well I hear you.. I've had quite a few people talking to me about it, usually because they've read so on social media or on the forums but I can tell you I used to get a bit of bump steer from the OG setup and now well I can't recall getting any..
So anyone that has any questions feel free to get in touch or just speak to Arnold (Rusty's) directly, he's a really nice chap and will be happy to talk you through any questions you have.. I mean I had a load for questions and he's always been dedicated to make sure my worries/queries were answered.

Cheers,
Stephan

 

[mike202]

Nice bus! How long ago did you fit the rack and pinion steering?

I went down the Epas route and had a Litesteer fitted. Make driving really easy. Like you say r&p steering is the next step up if you want more modern steering. I wanted to keep the originality but each to their own

 

[the bus driver]

Alright, dude.. The rack was fitted earlier in the year last year ..
I wasn't keen on the idea either but do really use the bus and now it handles so much better and I don't get shoulder/neck pain anymore which makes the journeys a lot more enjoyable.

 

[aircoolio]

This set is for bay bussen t2A and t2B, the picture is for T1.
I have order the set, Im tired of the original early steering box, and been driving with an CSP/TWR steeringbox last summer 5500km to Nordkap and back to DK and it was worn up, so hopefully this works.

https://www.revol-engineering.com/

Hi Skyggen, do you have your Revol set already installed? I have also been struggling with my worn steering box for a long time and would be interested in first hand experience with this set. How is the ride quality? Is it possible to still install the floorpan? Any trouble with the brake booster?

Cheers
Holger

 

[Skyggen]

Hi Skyggen, do you have your Revol set already installed? I have also been struggling with my worn steering box for a long time and would be interested in first hand experience with this set. How is the ride quality? Is it possible to still install the floorpan? Any trouble with the brake booster?

Cheers
Holger

Hi Holger
The kit is now installed and there is just small ajustments to the body, brake booster no problem, floorpan just a small cut in the front, and a little cut i the cross
barr, I will soon take a testdrive
Torsten

 

[aircoolio]

Hi Thorsten,
there's obviously more to cut away than I expected, though. Have you ever tried to mount the floor pan? I am in any case excited about the test drive!
Holger