AC Superblower Steering Rack

[Superarnie Mk2]

Dear all,
   
   Can any owner of the AC Superblower/CRS/Mark 4's, tell me what the steering effort is like with these cars. My part built Superblower has the standard MGB steering rack fitted as I presume all other Superblowers have. (It was fitted at the factory in 2001)I wondered if the steering effort was very heavy, especially at low speed turning, with the cars having quite wide front wheels/tyres and a heavy powerful engine. Has anyone swapped their manual rack to a power rack?
   I'd appreciate any inputs. The completion of the build of my own car is progressing quite fast. However, it would be a good time now to change the rack to a powered rack if that is the general consensus amongst owners.
   
   Many thanks
   Gary

[Mark IV]

Gary,
   
   I had the Superblower LHD (BRG w/ Gold stripes) that was sent to the US in 1998. The steering is a little heavy at rest but once moving it is not so hard that I would want power assit.
   
   The car I drove was used by Ford and sent to Bob Bondurant who found it fine as to the chassis specs if not a little down on power as compared to the supercharged expectation.

[302EFI]

Gary:
   I had a similar problem with my 1987 MkIV, we fitted new supporting joints and everything was fine.
   Best wishes,
   Jürgen

[C9OBY]

Hi Gary, before you go down the power rack route, get your suspension geometry checked (have a chat with Big Al).  I found a big difference in low speed steering once my ride height, toe-in and camber etc had been set up correctly.
   
   Wheel size also plays an enormous role.  With 225 front tyres on 16-inch rims my steering is feather light, but with (current) 15-inch rims running 245 tyres it's significantly heavier.  However, as mentioned above, the steering should get much easier once you're moving.
   
   However, whatever you do, don't ever expect your steering to be power-steering light.  Cobra's remain the epitome of a 'man's car'(!) hence some arm muscles will always be required... good luck!

[Superarnie Mk2]

Thanks to all who have contributed. I think the general consensus is that if the suspension geometry is right, the steering effort is fine. In which case the rack which AC cars fitted will stay!!
   
   I'll get down the gym and pump up the guns!!
   
   Regards
   
   Gary

[nikbj68]

With a name like "Super Arnie", we kinda assumed the guns were already in place!
   
   

[ANF289]

quote:Originally posted by C9OBY
   
Hi Gary, before you go down the power rack route, get your suspension geometry checked (have a chat with Big Al).  I found a big difference in low speed steering once my ride height, toe-in and camber etc had been set up correctly.
   
   Wheel size also plays an enormous role.  With 225 front tyres on 16-inch rims my steering is feather light, but with (current) 15-inch rims running 235 tyres it's significantly heavier.  However, as mentioned above, the steering should get much easier once you're moving.

   I’ve often wondered what was normal steering for a Mk IV.  My 88 is like a truck (not a little heavy, a lot heavy… I’d guess around 50 ft/lbs of torque!) when it just starts to roll, I’m really cranking on the wheel as I turn and back it out and turn it up the driveway.  However, once moving (3-5 mph on up) it’s light and responsive.  I have 235/60 15’s on the front, and wondered if the stock 225/60 16’s would make that big of a difference.  I guess I’ll just grin and bear it until I accelerate, and then I just grin. []
   
   I’m sure steering wheel diameter (mine's stock) would affect this as well, but not the grin factor.

[Superarnie Mk2]

Nik,
   
   I'm afraid the guns fell silent many years ago!!

[jbottini]

My 87 AK was exactly as ANF 289 explained. The SB that MKIV spoke of was basically the same.I believe it is called "manual steering" . You can fit the larger diameter wheel if your thighs allow it, but, I do not remember my ex CSX3327 with 15's being easy from a stop...althoughthe power seemed to help get to easier speed much quicker. MKIV tells me that is a faulth memory on the speed issue.

[Mark IV]

Faulty memory?? What were we talking about?

[ANF289]

quote:Originally posted by jbottini
   
My 87 AK was exactly as ANF 289 explained. The SB that MKIV spoke of was basically the same.I believe it is called "manual steering" . You can fit the larger diameter wheel if your thighs allow it, but, I do not remember my ex CSX3327 with 15's being easy from a stop...althoughthe power seemed to help get to easier speed much quicker. MKIV tells me that is a faulth memory on the speed issue.
   

   Good to know Jim.  As long as it’s “normal” I’m good with it.  I’ll just view driving it as part of my exercise program.  However, explaining it away as simply “manual steering” doesn’t quite do it justice.   My Lotus has manual steering… the AC is sooooo much more!
   Art

[bobbylangley]

I had 15" wheels fitted to my MkIV and it has made the steering much heavier. It was relatively easy to turn with 16"wheels. I have a small Mota-Lita steering wheel which compounds the effort. I tell myself it is part of my fitness campaign....

[SB7019]

Bobby.  Interesting that you found the steering heavier when switching to the 15" wheels as I found no change when doing the same.  Have a feeling you went for 235's whereas ( based on your recommendation on wheel arch clearance) I stuck to 225's.  My steering wheel is the larger 15" Moto Lita so I find the effort levels OK,  even at parking speeds - though it is certainly not light.  It reminds me of the era ( early 80's) when some hot cars (Escort Turbo's etc)  had relatively wide tyres but no power steering.  Since then we have all become used to even the most basic vehicles having the luxury of a powered system.   On a Cobra I would certainly rather retain the feel ( and simplicity ) of the existing system rather than go for PAS.
   
   BTW I suspect the steering on front engined Lotus would become quite heavy if you fitted an iron block V8 and 225 tyres:-)  Would make an interesting vehicle though.  Maybe someone stateside has done this?

[jbottini]

I think the lotus with a V8 ford lump of 302-427 would be crazy hard at rest!

[ANF289]

quote:BTW I suspect the steering on front engined Lotus would become quite heavy if you fitted an iron block V8 and 225 tyres:-)  Would make an interesting vehicle though.  Maybe someone stateside has done this?

Yeah, we call it the Lobra, and if Colin Chapman was alive today you would probably hear him say in a Texas drawl, if it ain’t light it ain’t right.