Overview
The original Rack and Pinion Steering Conversion for Australia Chrysler vehicles.
Hemi Performance designed and manufactured the first steering rack conversion, and since then we've been constantly revising our kit to ensure it's the best on the market.
We've sold over a thousand of these kits, so you can have the peace of mind that when you purchase one it will fit right and function correctly.
Our kit has been designed to be easy-to-fit, budget-friendly, safe & reliable. It includes everything you need to convert your car from a steering box.
You do not need to source additional parts, and you do not need to "seek the advice of a professional engineer" to fit or manufacture items that should have been included in the first place!
For those that don't want to cut and modify their vehicle, you'll be pleased to hear that our kit is a direct bolt in conversion.
No cutting, no welding, no engine out, and no changing K-frames.
Why Rack & Pinion?
You may be wondering why you'd want to convert from a steering box. There are a few things to consider.
- Your steering box is 40 years old - it's in desperate need of a rebuild but many components are no longer available for a proper rebuild.
- Undue strain on chassis - Your steering box is hung from your right-hand chassis rail, this is the reason so many Valiant vehicles have a cracked chassis rail.
- (Manual) steering is too heavy - our manual rack & pinion is lighter than a manual steering box.
- (Power) steering is too light/floaty - our manual rack & pinion is lighter than a manual steering box, but unlike factory power steering box; it is not excessively light when you're at speed.
- Pitman arm, idler arm, 4 tie rod ends, drag link - Maintaining all those components can be costly, rack & pinion eliminates them all!
Why buy our "cradle-mount" conversion, instead of a "K-frame mount" conversion?
You may have seen other kits available that use a specially modified k-frame to cater for a steering rack.
Which is better? Weigh up the pros and cons yourself.
| Claim | Other "K-Frame Mount" Conversions | Our "Cradle-Mount" Conversion |
| Quick to fit | No, you must remove your engine, and K-frame then refit everything | Yes! Our cradle simply bolts in! |
| No need to remove engine to fit | No, you must remove your engine. | Yes! Our cradle bolts in from the underside of your vehicle. |
| No need to modify your K-frame | No, you must put in a specially modified K-frame. | Yes! You use your original unmodified K-frame. |
| No need to modify your sump | No, you must modify your sump so the rack will not collide | Yes! You use your original unmodified sump. |
| No need to remove brackets for idler arm or steering box | Yes, the brackets are left unutilised. | Yes! We utilise the brackets already present for added rigidity |
| Steering rack is securely mounted | Debatable, the steering rack is hung off of two arms welded to the rear of your K-frame. The factory never intended for this added stress on your K-frame. |
Yes! Our cradle is made from 40x40x3mm box tube with a 6mm reinforcing plate and a 12mm reinforcing plate on the steering box side. |
| Steering coupling supplied ready-to-fit | No, you must pay extra for one and then have your steering shaft modified to accommodate. | Yes! We supply a steering coupling and a pre-modified steering shaft. |
| Added strength to chassis | No. | Yes! Our cradle connects the left and right chassis rails, acting as a brace and adding strength! |
How do you fit our Rack & Pinion conversion?
After many years of experience manufacturing and perfecting, our kit is the easiest to fit on the market.
You don't need to cut, modify, or weld anything (except drill 1 or 2 holes depending on model.)
Our kit is designed so that you can fit it easily, and should the need or desire ever arise you can remove it and convert back to a steering box just as simply.
Un-bolt your steering box, remove your pitman arm, idler arm, tie rod ends and drag link, then slide the complete rack & cradle up for a snug fit over your chassis rails.
The right-hand side fits over your steering box bracket, just fit the bolts supplied.
The left-hand side fits just in front of your idler arm bracket. Fit the two bolts supplied, one through your chassis and the other into your idler arm bracket. If desired you can drill one additional hole through your chassis and fit the supplied bolt (we do recommend this.)
Remove your steering shaft, fit the new one supplied, connect the steering universal joint and you're as good as done!
Fitting takes between 3-5 hours depending on experience with vehicle upgrades.
Maintenance
We've seen steering racks last in excess of 200,000 kms, with that said though if a steering rack or tie rod ends are required they can be sourced quite easily.
We utilised a steering rack and tie rod ends from a Holden Commodore model.
Specific Fitting Requirements
Small Block V8 engine in VE-CM vehicles:
If you are running extractors you are required to modify the right hand pipe as it will interfere with the rack head.
We have an exclusive Pacemaker set available that has already been modified for use with our rack and pinion conversion.
Follow one of these links to purchase a full-set for
, or
or just the right-hand side for
, or
.
Small Block V8 engine in all vehicles:
You will be required to run a oil filter relocation kit as the factory steel oil lines will interfere with the rack head.
We offer a easy to fit complete relocation kit, you can purchase it by .
Customer Reviews
- Very happy By Jeff (posted on 23/06/2024)
- The car is so much more enjoyable to drive. Pretty obvious how to install but a set of instructions would be helpful. Certainly no binding when turning steering wheel and definitely no bump steer. Very well made product and would recommend to others.
- great By ralph (posted on 1/07/2020)
-
Best improvement I have made to the car
had to trim 15mm off left side mount to get it square otherwise 10 out of 10 - Average By Doug (posted on 30/06/2020)
- Complained after install something is wrong with the steering but never heard back. Am changing back to original steering. The universal joints don%u2019t turn the rack smoothly and the touch on the inside making the steering tight them loose. I may have been sent the wrong one but you never got back to me,
- Rack and pinion By Robert (posted on 29/05/2018)
- It was easy to fit.but spline for steering wheel didnt have a locator so had to grind one notch out to fit steering wheel,you need to check it out befor assembly. And having problem with tierod ends fitting into lower balljoints, hanging low and not fitting correctly, tierods hitting inside tyre..rack and pinion set up good and recommend..
Additional Information
| SKU | 110.65898 |
|---|---|
| Factory Comparison | Retro-fit Replacement |