355 Ferrari F355 Challenge Steering rack

Here's my plan.

1.Buy a used rack.

2.Build it with quick rack internals (rack & pinion) by a professional.

3.Have it ready and set aside for an engine out service, which for me should be soon enough (mine is approaching 7 years), so there are no delays.

4. Pull the old rack out and rebuild that one with a quick rack internals and set that one aside for a rainy day, another car, or simply sell it to someone here who does need a quick rack .

 

I'm speculating a 340 or 350mm steering wheel (ex. Challenge/348 steering wheel) with a 2.75 turn quick rack would be perfect for the 355.

 

Having had both a 350mm and a 340mm wheel, 340 is the perfect size for the 355.

 

Yes on Challenge steering wheel with 2.75 Ch rack…and non-power steering. Rivals my ac 911 race car in terms of feel/feedback and weight.

 

Ya’ll want a quick steering rack or not ?

 

Interested for sure. Any sense of cost?

 

Not yet. Doubt it will be cheap though.

 

I'd be down for this if you find the right professional - aka source my own used rack and get it shipped to whoever. My 5 year engine out will be winter 2023/2024 so this would be a good project to get done this year.

 

I found one place who seems to be rebuilding racks, but have not yet communicated with them.

https://www.awitalian.com/product/steering-rack-157546.html/

 

I’d be down too

 

I’m currently on the hunt for a used rack to take apart and rebuild with new FHP internals and set aside. I am noticing a few things, which might help in your hunt for a used rack as price ranges are all over the place.

https://www.eurospares.co.uk/Ferrari/355/355_(5.2_Motronic)/PartDiagrams/045/Hydraulic Steering Box and Linkage


#2 outer tie rods (genuine Ferrari) part are $420 each ($840/pair) Yes, you can transfer from your old rack, but you might want to inspect it’s current condition and decide if you want to transfer over or buy newer ones. I’d prefer everything close to new/fresh. So finding a used rack with outer tie rods in very good condition could be of value.


Inner tie rods (longer black rod connected to the rack) are considered internals and not sold separately outside of buying a whole rack. So if a used rack has a bent inner rod, it’s no use. However, you can transfer from your old rack, but once again, analyze the condition of your existing one (rust, bent, etc) because you can’t but it new.


#3 Rubber boots. These are $75 each. They tend to be ripped. Both are ripped on my RHD FHP rack. Finding a used rack with good useable boots could be of value.




Looking at various used and new racks, I see some use white zip ties, black zip ties, metal clamps for clamping of the boots. Not sure which is “factory” correct or best. They could all be factory variants.

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Here’s what a new rack looks like. I’m not sure if it’s supposed to come with tie rod ends or not.



Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

There doesn’t seem to be a part number specifically for “white” challenge steering rack bushings.

Found misc steering rack components here:

https://www.ferraripartsexchange.com/collections/types?page=16&q=355

 

Hehehe Ken, I didn’t see this post, here a standard steering rack


Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

J'ai dit des conneries la dernière fois, la crémaillère de direction était complète avec les finales.

 

In this picture, your challenge steering rack did not come with tie-rod ends.

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Ouais dans une autre case, t'as raison, protégé

 

Where did you source it from?


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

Nice try . It’s unobtanium. Let’s stay focused here

 

All the options available here:-

https://www.superformance.co.uk/355/suspension.html

 

I am in the current process of rebuilding my 176036 challenge rack.

It's currently in Orange County, CA and looking for the most reputable option to rebuild it. This is the 2nd time it has come out, we initially tried the "volvo sk-8128" seal kit mentioned in another thread here on fchat, but the radial seal is still leaking and then allowing fluid to leak out of the two tie-rod end boots as well, so still a leaker......

Don't know if anyone has recommendations on what step to take next. Already reached out to TRW & ZF with zero help at all!

 

Reach out to Eric Page @ GP Autoworks in San Marcos. I worked with them to rebuild the rack on my '95 a few months ago, and it's great. FWIW, they also had a false start with the "Volvo Kit".

 

Is it already outside of the car?