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Rack and Pinion FAQs

Flaming River Rack and Pinions - Frequently Asked Questions


GENERAL / OVERVIEW QUESTIONS:

What type of Power Rack and Pinions do you offer?

What type of Manual Rack and Pinions do you offer?

What are the benefits of upgrading from my stock steering system to a Rack and Pinion system?

Do you have a Rack and Pinion for my...[insert vehicle here]?

Do you have steering racks available for Right Hand Drive vehicles?

It doesn't look like you have a rack that fits my needs - can I create my own?

 

TECHNICAL / INSTALLATION QUESTIONS:

Do you have technical specs for your rack and pinions?

Do you sell replacement boots/bellows and tie rod ends for your Rack and Pinions?

I've modified my vehicle's chassis / suspension / drivetrain / drive height, can I still use one of your Rack and Pinion systems?

Can I use my existing exhaust headers with your Rack and Pinion Cradle Kits?

What other parts will I need to complete the installation of a Flaming River Power Rack and Pinion System?

Do I need to fill and bleed my steering system if I install one of your Power Racks?

How much thread engagement do I need when connecting my outer and inner tie tod rod ends?

 

Q: What type of Power Rack and Pinions do you offer?power rack and pinion

 

A: We have Rack and Pinions available for many different vehicle applications. We offer Manual Rack and Pinions, Power Rack and Pinions, and Rack and Pinion Conversion Kits that are available in either Power or Manual for many popular classic vehicle applications.

Our Power Rack and Pinions are ideal for upgrading your classic car or truck, hot rod, street rod, or performance vehicle to the comfort and reliability of a modern power steering system. We have Power Racks available for vehicles with a Mustang II style front end, as well as Universal Front Steer and Universal Rear Steer Power Rack and Pinions with adjustable mounts and adjustable pinion angle for ease of installation. We also offer an Extra Long XL Power Rack for wide-framed trucks and vehicles, and a Narrowed Power Rack for vehicles with narrowed track width.

Our standard Power Racks offer more than 6” of travel for full turning radius, and are made with all new parts—including the valve and piston. Plus, our Power Racks are made in the USA in Berea, OH and are fluid and pressure tested and certified before they leave our facility.

Note: It is the customer’s responsibility to determine the suitability of a given Flaming River product for intended usage. Please refer to our Warranty Disclaimer for additional information.

 


 

Q: What type of Manual Rack and Pinions do you offer?

 

A: Depending on the vehicle, we have a couple of different options for Manual Rack and Pinions. Our Manual 1971-72 Pinto Racks, Mustang II Racks, Omni Rear Steer Racks, 5.0 Mustang, and 2005-2011 Mustang Manual Racks are all ideal choices for manual steering.  These manual steering racks are responsive, easy to install, lighter and stronger than the OEM racks and come in a variety of different ratios, pivot points, and pinion lengths.

 


 

Q: What are the benefits of upgrading from my stock steering system to a Rack and Pinion system?

 

A: Our Rack and Pinions are made with all new parts and are not rebuilt, so you eliminate old and worn out steering parts. Our Steering Racks give you the benefits of a modern steering system, and they are more durable, lighter, and more responsive than the original recirculated ball steering box. Plus, our Rack and Pinions retain the full factory turning radius and offer more travel than an OE steering system.

If you choose to install one of our Rack & Pinion Cradle Systems, the welded cradle bolts right into the original mounting locations, with no chassis modification, so you can always return to the original steering system in the future. Each kit also includes the option of a brand new tilt steering column, all mounting hardware, wiring connectors, universal joints and shafting, and power steering pump, pulley, and reservoir for our power kits.

All of our Rack and Pinion Conversion Systems are American-made and built in-house at our manufacturing facility in Berea, OH. Each Power System is fluid and pressure tested and certified before it leaves our facility.

 


 

Q: Do you have a Rack and Pinion for my…[insert vehicle here]?

 

A: Our Research and Development and Engineering teams are always working to find new ways to optimize the use of Rack and Pinions for different vehicle applications. We currently have a wide selection of Bolt-in Rack and Pinion Conversion Kits for many popular classic vehicle applications and we're continuing to develop and expand our Rack and Pinion applications based on customer requests and vehicle popularity..

We have Universal Front Steer and Rear Steer Power Rack and Pinions with adjustable mounts and pinion angles that can be installed on many different vehicles with some fabrication required. We always recommend working with a reputable fabricator, or contacting us prior to fabricating on your own.

 


 

Q: Do you have steering racks available for Right Hand Drive vehicles?

A: Yes, we have a Power Rack with universal mounting that was developed for Right Hand Drive vehicles, as well as a couple of Rack and Pinion Conversion Kits for Right Hand Drive vehicles. Currently, we offer a Power and Manual RHD Kit for the 1965-70 Mustang, a Power RHD Kit for the 1963-82 Corvette, and a Power Kit for a RHD Tri-5. We’re also willing to work with you to design something for your vehicle if you can provide us with the necessary dimensions and specs.

 


 

Q: It doesn’t look like you have a rack that fits my needs – can I create my own?

 

A: Yes, we offer an extensive Custom Manufacturing Program for our Rack and Pinions.  We can make Front Steer or Rear Steer Racks for both Power and Manual steering applications.  Please contact our Tech Support reps at 1-800-648-8022 or by email at [email protected] and we’ll take care of the rest!

Custom Front Steer Manual Rack Order Form

Custom Rear Steer Manual Rack Order Form

Please contact us for information on Custom Power Rack and Pinions.

Note: Because our custom products are built to the customer’s exact specifications, all custom orders must be paid in full upfront, and are non-returnable and non-refundable. It is the customer’s responsibility to determine proper suitability for their vehicle application.

 



Q: Do you have technical specs for your rack and pinions?

A: Yes, we have technical spec sheets for our Power Rack and Pinions, and our Manual Rack and Pinions (coming soon) available as a PDF download. You can find them on each individual rack and pinion product page, or you can find an overview of all of our power racks and manual racks in the Tech Support section.

 


 

Q: Do you sell replacement boots/bellows, and tie rod ends for your Rack and Pinions?

A: Yes, we have a full line of Rack and Pinion replacement parts for our Rack and Pinions including inner and outer tie rod ends, bushings, and replacement bellows.

 



Q: I’ve modified my vehicle’s chassis / suspension / drivetrain / drive height, can I still use one of your Rack and Pinion systems?

A: All Flaming River Rack and Pinion Cradle Systems have been designed and tested using a factory original platform vehicle. Any variation or modification from the vehicle’s original chassis, suspension, drivetrain, or drive height may change the steering geometry and require additional modification for installation. If you have any questions regarding your vehicle’s set-up, please call us at 1-800-648-8022.

 


 

Q: Can I use my existing exhaust headers with your Rack and Pinion Cradle Kits?

A: We have our own unique angle headers available that have been designed to work with our Rack and Pinion kits – available for Small Block Chevys, 1962-67 Small Block Novas, and Small Block Fords – they provide the universal joint clearance that you need to install one of our steering systems.

 


 

Q: What other parts will I need to complete the installation of a Flaming River Power Rack and Pinion System?

A: There are a couple of different parts that you may need to complete the installation of a Flaming River Power Rack and Pinion.

Universal Joints: Our Power Rack and Pinions require a unique-shaped Universal Joint to connect to the Power Rack.

Part Number Yoke 1 Dimension Yoke 2 Dimension Finish
FR1789P Flaming River Power Rack 3/4" DD Satin
FR1789PPL Flaming River Power Rack 3/4" DD Polished
FR1789P-2 Flaming River Power Rack 3/4"-36 Satin
FR1789P-2PL Flaming River Power Rack 3/4"-36 Polished
FR1789P-3 Flaming River Power Rack 1" DD Satin
FR1789P-3PL Flaming River Power Rack 1" DD Polished
FR1789P-4 Flaming River Power Rack 3/4" Satin
FR1789P-4PL Flaming River Power Rack 3/4" Polished

 

Power Steering Hose Kits: Our Rack and Pinion kits do not come with hoses – we recommend our Stainless Braided Hose Kit (Part # FR1610) to work with our Power Rack and Pinions and our Remote Reservoir Pump.

Power Steering Fluid: We recommend using a high quality Power Steering Fluid. We offer our own synthetic blend designed to work with our Power Steering Racks and Power Steering Boxes.

Remote Reservoirs: We offer a full line of Remote Reservoirs for Power Steering Fluid, Coolant Overflow, and Brake Fluid.

Power Steering Pumps: Due to the pressure and flow ratings of our Power Rack and Pinions, we highly recommend using our Stage II Variable Pressure Low-Flow Pumps. These pumps are offered without a Pulley, or with a Serpentine or V-Belt Pulley.


 

Q: Do I need to fill and bleed my steering system if I install one of your Power Racks?

A: A new or existing Power Steering System must be purged and bled for proper installation and operation. Please refer to our Power Steering Bleeding Procedure for more information.

Also, we offer our own Synthetic Power Steering Fluid designed to work with our Power Rack and Pinions.

 



Q: How much thread engagement do I need when connecting my outer and inner tie rod ends?

A: When installing the outer tie rod ends on to the inner tie rod ends, it is very important that there is a minimum thread engagement of 2.5 times the diameter of the outer end. For example, if your outer end has a ½” thread diameter, you would need a minimum thread engagement between the inner and outer ends of 1 ¼”.

Any less than the recommended minimum thread engagement in a vehicle is unsafe and vehicle operation should be avoided.