b'Steering Racks for Road RacingOrders: 1-888-STEER-USTech support: 1-307-472-0550Fax: 1-307-235-1551e-mail: tech@woodwardsteering.comThree pinion angles availableAs a general rule, the pinion is angled toward the steering wheel so as to achieve the lowest total angular and parallel misalignment. The smaller the operating angles of the universal joints, the more constant the velocity of steering input. The idealseldom achievedis for the steering column to be connected directly to the pinion spline, as in a single-seater formula car. The straighter the pinion, the lower the frictional and thrust CF00 losses (which is, incidentally, why todays racing transmissions are mostly equipped with straight spur gears). Cars with no engine in the front bay should be able to fit one of the CF00 models with a straight pinion. As obstructions (such as an engine) are introduced into the front of the race car it becomes more difficult to align the steering column and pinion, and so the pinion must point to one side. A straight-bank engine may only need a minimally angled pinion such as the CF12, while a forward-CF12 mounted V8 or front drive differential may require a CF20 for clearance. The width of the rack plays a part as well; the wider the rack, the farther the pinion is from center.In cases where the race car is to be based a production automobile, it is sometimes possible to improve the routing of the steering column by using a straighter pinion angle, especially if the engine is being set CF20 back and/or obstructions such as antiroll bars and air conditioning will be relocated or removed. Much of what is possible in this area will depend on the extent of refabrication planned. A kit is available to simplify the welding of rigid brackets to the chassis to replace the usual OEM rubber mounts, after which the rack can be rotated into optimum alignment with the steering shaft and clamped in place. Front steer or Rear steerWith the steering positioned ahead of the centerline of the front wheels, the pinion engages the rack from beneath. With the steering positioned behind the centerline of the front wheels, the pinion engages the rack from above. If these conditions are not met, the steering will operate in reverse.In a front steer layout, the outer ends of the tie rods are located outboard of the kingpin axis to obtain positive Ackerman, or steering toe. In a rear steer layout they are inboard. In this case, rear steer has a packaging advantage because the outer tie rod ends tend not to interfere with the wheels or brakes. However, under severe braking front steer tie rodsC/Lare loaded in tension whereas in rear steer they are loaded in compression. Because of this, tie rods used for rear steer applications should generally be of stiffer construction. Rear steerThe principal factor in designing for front orFront steer (pinion above rack)rear steer is engine clearance, which is why the vast majority of purpose-built front-engined race cars are(pinion below rack)front steer. Low-drag preloaded tie rod endsWoodward CF racks are equipped with adjustable monoball rack ends machined from billet. They have much lower stiction (break-away torque) than ordinary automotive rack ends, almost completely eliminating the drag of suspension movement and delivering enhanced steering response.Woodward monoball units are all metal, completely disassem-blable and regreasable, with no plastic inserts. The high tensile alloy ball studs are recessed into the ends of the rackshaft for maximum stability and feature 52 degrees angular misalignment. The studs are threaded 14 mm x 1,5 RH with large 19 mm external wrench flats.Easy, precise adjustmentTo set, tighten the adjusting nut until the ball stud is locked solid and then back off one wrench slot. For the maximum recommended preload back off half a slot, for minimum preload back off 1-1/2 slots. Both nuts take a standard hook spanner. One nut has 6 slots and the other 7, allowing two wrenches to be positioned for a powerful squeeze without applying any turning force to the rack itself.50'