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  • Steering rack

    Has anyone used a marina quick rack ? if so can you still get them ?

  • #2
    Re: Steering rack

    No such thing unless there is a suitable Triumph swap unless you do the Trials mod to the steering arms. I wonder what the ST or Rally Marinas might have been fitted with.
    MOC member since 05/97
    1984 Marlin Roadster SWB.
    1800TC, Unleaded ported head, stage 2 cam. Ford Type 9 gearbox, Dolomite Sprint rear axle fitted with MGF disc brakes.
    Three core radiator, Renault Clio vented front discs.
    The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.

    Loads of Marlin Reference can be found documents here or there.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Steering rack

      Lee,
      Looked at this myself some time ago but couldn't find an alternative quicker rack that didn't need significant mods to the car and possibly the rack itself. Also bear in mind that if you do fit a significantly quicker rack the steering will be much heavier at low speed such as when parking. One advantage if you do fit a quicker rack is that the self centering should improve.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Steering rack

        Lee,
        I also considered the possibilities of this upgrade. After speaking to a company based in Pershore, it was certainly deemed as possible but they were not prepared to make a one off.
        However, one option I did look into was to use a LEFT hand drive escort rack. These are fairly cheap and easy to get. Check out Rally Design or eBay. Not sure how easy it would be to mount in the correct orientation for the drive peg to be pointed the right way, but I am sure with your skills you could find a simple solution.
        Mk2 SWB Marina Roadster with a 1800 Fiat Twin Cam engine and 5 speed Abarth gearbox built in 1987
        - I have no idea what I am talking about........ but my advice is always free! -

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        • #5
          Re: Steering rack

          Jon,
          I also looked at the left hand drive Escort rack turned upside down and I think it is feasible with a few changes to the mounting. Even the standard rack would be slightly quicker than the Marina. You would also have the option of fitting a quick rack if required.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Steering rack

            I have short steering arms on two of my trials Marlins. It does seem to make the car wander a bit and initially the tendency was to over correct. The wandering may be partly due to the excess camber with the torsion bars wound up for greater clearance. All in all it's a significant improvement although you do need strong arms for parking. On trials sections the quick steering can be helpful although at others I think the steering wheel is only there to hold on to as it seems nothing will break the Marlin's strong affection for trees.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Steering rack

              The Herald has a quicker rack than the vitesse but they are pinion under rack for steering arms infront of king pin.
              But Dolly Sprint uses an on top pinion IE steering arms behind king pin. Dont know if they have a quicker rack.
              Ben Caswell probably not the last word on anything here!!

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Steering rack

                Hi,
                So that's it, I have been playing with my steering set up because the self centring is a little slow. Is this a fault on the Marlin? Any cures?
                I got a 185 70 R 13 from my local tyre centre, he had to order it and I have no idea what make it is, WILL LOOK TOMORROW and let you know. I only changed one for MOT, but after spinning car on roundabout whilst driving normally on way to work, I think I will look at changing others. By the way it was about £30.00

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                • #9
                  Re: Steering rack

                  My Marlin self centred beautifully til I fitted a new rack. The new one is slightly stiffer and now it won't self centre. I may repair and refit the old rack. See treads passim.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Steering rack

                    Rimmer Bros website lists a Dolly quick rack as an option, but the picture suggests it isn't compatible (though I think the mounting brackets & bushes are common?).

                    It looks like the casing mounts are 90 degrees out...but "if" the internals are otherwise similar (anyone know if this is the case? It's certainly plausible given the strong Triumph flavour to the Marina...) it might be possible to have a Dolly quick rack rebuilt into the Marina casing.

                    Could be worth exploring with Jigsaw Racing (Dolly tuning specialists) or Canley Classics..?
                    Marlin Roadster, LWB...1860 B Series + Ford Type 9
                    Renault Espace 54mm front calipers, vented discs, cycle wings and adjustable tie-bars.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Steering rack

                      Hi all,
                      Has anyone thought of fitting electric power steering from say a Corsa/Punto,this may help with the stiff steering, and although the steering ratio would stay the same, it would be easer to turn the wheel.
                      Terry

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                      • #12
                        Re: Steering rack

                        Terry, that's an idea I have toyed with several times. There are a couple of important considerations. First some sort of speed sensor as the force needed varies with speed and second a bigger alternator/battery combo as they consume quite alot of power especially if driving around town. It has been done on several Kit's and racers, more modern than Marlins, unless someone here has already done it?

                        I am not at all sure if they will help the self centering problem. That has to be due to the castor angle. I do not know what the Marina based cars were set at, as early Marinas vary from the later ones. Not easy to setup without accurate measuring equipment.
                        MOC member since 05/97
                        1984 Marlin Roadster SWB.
                        1800TC, Unleaded ported head, stage 2 cam. Ford Type 9 gearbox, Dolomite Sprint rear axle fitted with MGF disc brakes.
                        Three core radiator, Renault Clio vented front discs.
                        The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.

                        Loads of Marlin Reference can be found documents here or there.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Steering rack

                          i think an important point to remember here is that a quick rack on another car,even if its fits the marlin,may turn out to be a slow rack...its the distance the rack ends move coupled with the steering arm length that matters.also the length of the rack between the balljoints MUST be the same or you will have terrible bump steer.i am looking to fabricate my own steering arms,once i have worked out the pro's and cons i might be able to offer them for sale if anyone is interested.if i do make them then they'll be a direct replacement,probably using a rod end to replace the track rod ends-it makes life easier to fabricate.I'll be going for 20% faster rack but could make any increase wanted.I did look at a Minor rack but it seemed too much effort to convert,sadly.If anyone does find a bolt-on solution i'd love to hear it.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Steering rack

                            I have a possible source of a quick rack for a Marina based roadster. Down to 3 turns, keeping the same turning circle as a Mk1.
                            Could be useful for trials cars.
                            Interested? I can PM a phone number.
                            MOC member since 05/97
                            1984 Marlin Roadster SWB.
                            1800TC, Unleaded ported head, stage 2 cam. Ford Type 9 gearbox, Dolomite Sprint rear axle fitted with MGF disc brakes.
                            Three core radiator, Renault Clio vented front discs.
                            The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.

                            Loads of Marlin Reference can be found documents here or there.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Steering rack

                              It was nearly a year ago that I last posted and despite apparent enthusiasm, no takers.
                              There are only a handful of these racks still available.
                              MOC member since 05/97
                              1984 Marlin Roadster SWB.
                              1800TC, Unleaded ported head, stage 2 cam. Ford Type 9 gearbox, Dolomite Sprint rear axle fitted with MGF disc brakes.
                              Three core radiator, Renault Clio vented front discs.
                              The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.

                              Loads of Marlin Reference can be found documents here or there.

                              Comment

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