Rack and Pinion

[tricyclerob]

As part of the under hood restoration, I pulled the steering rack in preparation for cleaning and painting the crossmember.

The boots look a little worse for wear, no tears but could be replaced, and new tie rods might not be a bad idea. On NPD the Motor-craft ends alone are about $40 each, plus boots, clamps, etc...

But, they offer a complete rebuilt rack, including tie rods and boots, for $99, plus a core charge but they offer 2 models, one with a "Performance Suspension" and one without.
Does anyone know what that refers to and which would be appropriate for the Cobra?

They have one model for '93 that's marked;
Year Model Fits
1983 - 1993 MUSTANG W/ PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION
https://www.npdlink.com/store/products/ ... -2457.html

and a second;
Year Model Fits
1985 - 1993 MUSTANG W/ P/S, EXCL HANDLING PACKAGE
https://www.npdlink.com/store/products/ ... -2457.html

Thanks,
robj

[WillyB93]

Your local parts store may be cheaper then NPD, plus they can probably order both of them for you. If I remember right the amount of turns is the difference on the racks, one might be 2 1/4 and the other might be like 2 1/2 turns one way from center point. I thing the performance suspension one is the one you need, but don't hold me accountable.

[Z282SLO]

Check carefully on the "performance suspension" option to make sure it matches the specs of the 93 Cobra. The 93 Cobra had numerous suspension parts that were specific to this model only and was not as "stiff" as the LX 5.0 and GT models (e.g. the rear springs on the Cobra were the same as the 4-cylinder Mustang and the front sway bar on the Cobra was smaller than on the other V8 models).

[1986Browns]

The 93 Cobra had numerous suspension parts that were specific to this model only and was not as "stiff" as the LX 5.0 and GT models (e.g. the rear springs on the Cobra were the same as the 4-cylinder Mustang and the front sway bar on the Cobra was smaller than on the other V8 models).

The rack is not one of these items.



Per the Official Ford Mustang 5.0 Technical Reference and Performance Handbook (Ford Racing PN M-1832-Z4) on page 125 it states:

The 1993 Cobra's steering gear is identical to the standard production equipment used in 1983 1/2-and-later 5-liter
H.O. Mustangs. This constant-ratio, 15.01:1, power-assisted, integral rack-and-pinion mechanism requires 2.22 turns of the steering wheel to run the gear through a full lock-to-lock maneuver.

[tricyclerob]

"Official Ford Mustang 5.0 Technical Reference and Performance Handbook"
I didn't know there was such a thing. I just put that on my wish list.
I'm going to check with NPD. I'm thinking it might be a different ratio. I'll report back with what I find out.

Thanks so much for the info.,

robj

[93Cobra#2771]

For some reason I want to say the R model had a unique rack, but not sure on that.

The regular cobra was indeed the same as the other GT/LX cars.

*Edit - now that I start thinking about it, maybe it was the 4cyl cars that had a different rack on them? Heck if I know, and my memory ain't what it used to be.

[1986Browns]

For some reason I want to say the R model had a unique rack, but not sure on that.

Yeah, those cars had lots of pull-ahead parts from the '94 (SN95) cars. The rack, front sealed hubs, and spindles are all SN95 stuff.

[tricyclerob]

I finally heard back from the vendor.
Then "non-performance" model is for 4 and 6 cylinder vehicles. The "performance model" is for everything else.
robj