TT, S3, LCR, R32 Steering rack (quick rack) - fitting guide - Octy VRS MK1

[GarryC]

Hello,

As some of you know my steering rack decided to blow a seal on me last week :( After a quick question to the forum i was confident this was not a common problem and i had just been unlucky. During this discussion it was mentioned that as i had to change the rack anyway why dont i fit a rack from an Audi TT (same as Audi S3, R32 Golf and Seat Leon Cupra R) as it was a quick rack (being only 2.5 turns lock to lock - 20% Quicker than standard). I thought what a good idea. I had always found the car never wanted to turn in very well or change direction to quickly. I just put this down to it being a big heavy car and learnt to live with it. The idea of a quick rack to try and improve things had never even crossed my mind so took the advantage of the opertunity and went about sourceing one.

I found 2 TT racks on EBAY but ended up getting one of a local guy who had a R32 rack in his shed (as you do).

So i headed off to a mates workshop (mine only has 4 poster ramps, while 2 poster ramps would be better for this job) on Saturday morning and set to fitting it. This is what we did.

- Remove both wheels.

- With this done i could see the leak was coming from the near side gaiter.

- Removing the bolt that held the track rod to the hub was a pain so we had to resort to the angle grinder to get the nut off. (We had a spare)

- With the nut removed we removed the track rod ends from the hubs.

- Then we removed my undertray.

- Only to find it did a good job at catching the leaking oil.

- Inside the car we removed the steering column from the rack.

- Remove the bolts that hold the rack to the subframe (4).

- We used a stand to hold the rear subframe while we dropped it down to get the rack out.

- Remove the 4 bolts that hold the subframe up.

- Remove the 4 bolts that hold the subframe up.

- We left the subframe hanging in place on the dogbone bush, this gave us enough room to remove the rack.

- Nice big hole where the rack used to live.

- With the rack out we discovered that the track rod ends and steering arms are different between the VRS and R32 doner rack. Not a problem as we just swapped over the steering arms. Nice and simple.

- R32 Rack with steering arm removed, ready to fit the VRS ones in.

- R32 Rack, now fitted with the VRS steering arms.

- Closer inspection of my VRS rack revealed rust on the inner part. It was probably this rust that killed the seal in the rack.

- R32 Rack now fitted with the VRS steering arms all ready to be fitted back in.

- Fitting is the reverse of removal.

All work was carried out at Saxon Motorsports. Thanks for lending me your ramps.

All work carried out by Dave of JDT.

We then bled the system and re set up the geometry.

I have driven around 50 miles of a-road since saturday and the difference is like night and day. I really cannot explain how much better this has made the car. It now turns in quick, changes direction without hesitation. The steering is also a little heavier so you get a better feel of whats going on. I really cannot suggest this highly enough. With racks being about for between £100 - £150 + fitting this really is a cheap mod and makes a world if difference.

I hope this helps other owners.

Kind Regards

Garry

[bengie]

sounds good, better not add it to my list as i think Ross would kill me

[Silver Bullet]

Looks a very good mod done.

I can predict a national shortage of R32 racks now .

Peter

[Tech1e]

sounds good, better not add it to my list as i think Ross would kill me

Makes no odds mate as the subframe has to come down anyhow.

[bengie]

might be interested then

[bengie]

god damn forums and ebay!!!!

[Malc]

Nice job, and good one for getting someone spending in these 'hard' times.

[GarryC]

Audi TT 225 BHP Steering Rack And Hoses on eBay, also, Audi, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 11-Apr-09 17:30:00 BST)

Found one on EBAY for £50 buy it now

Must have mod.

Glad you all like the guide. Sorry if it has made you spend money

Garry

[billy2981]

cheers garry!

no one was really lookin at that

I had it and was askin bout it.

DAMN YOU

lol

jus got back from town and its gone!

billy

[RobClubley]

Another thing on the wish list then!

Nice write-up.

[mark_sargeant19]

to the tech section?

[RobClubley]

to the tech section?

I think so Moved.

[GarryC]

cheers garry!

no one was really lookin at that

I had it and was askin bout it.

DAMN YOU

lol

jus got back from town and its gone!

billy

Billy. Doh... Really sorry mate :( Will keep quiet next time, lol.

Another thing on the wish list then!

Nice write-up.

Thank you. Its a well worth while mod. And cheap

to the tech section?

I even thought of putting it here but thought it would get more interest in the Octy 1 section, lol.

I think so Moved.

Cheers

Kind Regards

Garry

[billy2981]

cheers for the pics garry.

you have shown me were the steering bush goes lol

think i might try get the tt rack and fir the powerflex bush at same time lol.

also do the R32 arb thing too.

billy

[Neil_Ireland]

Just sourced an S3 rack, this is deff the quick rack?

Thanks,

Neil.

[Basil]

Stupid question, but no fabia equivalent???

[VRSPhil]

If you go for the TT option, make sure you get the right one as some TT's come with the standard rate rack. I'm not sure how to differentiate though... Maybe it's the early 150bhp models which don't have the quick rack?

[GarryC]

Just sourced an S3 rack, this is deff the quick rack?

Thanks,

Neil.

Neil - Although i cant say 100% thats exactly what i was told when i did my research

Stupid question, but no fabia equivalent???

Basil - Sorry, none that i am aware of but i am by no means an expert

If you go for the TT option, make sure you get the right one as some TT's come with the standard rate rack. I'm not sure how to differentiate though... Maybe it's the early 150bhp models which don't have the quick rack?

Phil - When i was looking into this i was read and was told that all the TT racks are the same regardless of 4WD/2WD and power output. I cant vouch for this myself 100% so could be wrong but this is what i was told.

I hope this helps.

Most of my research on this prior to fitment came from the MK4 Golf forum. Lots of good information over there.

Kind Regards

Garry

[Neil_Ireland]

Neil - Although i cant say 100% thats exactly what i was told when i did my research

Kind Regards

Garry

Cheers Gary,

The guy I got the rack off said it was the 2.5 turns one so should be ok

Neil

[GarryC]

That sounds like the very chap

You shall enjoy no end. Transforms the car.

Kind Regards

Garry

[billy2981]

I want it doin to mine. lol

cant afford it yet though and think 0A would kill me.

Ive told her when mine is buggered I am gettin the better one.

take it you still lovin it Garry?

billy

[GarryC]

I want it doin to mine. lol

cant afford it yet though and think 0A would kill me.

Ive told her when mine is buggered I am gettin the better one.

take it you still lovin it Garry?

billy

Hell yeah You just wait till you get one fitted. he he.

Garry

[chicken_eyebrow]

Are you still bringing it to the meet on Friday? Wouldn't mind having a go.

I still have the rack sitting in my garage but probably won't be able to afford fitting it for a few months. Also have to see if insurance are ok with it.

[GarryC]

Yep. Will be there if i fix my brakes, lol

Garry

[Delcac]

Are you still bringing it to the meet on Friday? Wouldn't mind having a go.

I still have the rack sitting in my garage but probably won't be able to afford fitting it for a few months. Also have to see if insurance are ok with it.

What rack?