Hi all I'm thinking of putting a TL/TW steering rack and pump in my KH, is this a good idea? plus is there any problems with removing the old rack and fitting the new one?

Cheers

Dean

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

i fitted the rack to my TJ, well worth the upgrade

What are the steps to do the conversion? I have a KL to wreck so I'm keen to put that steering rack in my TJ

Just curious. What is better about a TL/W rack compared to a KH?

From what I've read/been told, the difference is essentially a heavier weighted feeling.
Some people say the geometry of the front subframe is different however it seems it is all the same

I've got a TJ2 Sports. I'm quite happy with the steering, except for the lack of telescoping adjustment. That would be nice...

i fitted the rack to my TJ, well worth the upgrade

Thanks perry, anything else need doing besides replacing the rack and the power steering pump?

cheers

We use the complete frame as it is generally easier to do than to do the rack on its own, plus you the get much younger front end parts such as ball joints and bushes.

Is worth it to do this, one of our loan cars has already been done and often customers comment.

We use the complete frame as it is generally easier to do than to do the rack on its own, plus you the get much younger front end parts such as ball joints and bushes.

Is worth it to do this, one of our loan cars has already been done and often customers comment.

Thanks so much for your reply Mal, so is it easier to remove the frame from the car and remove the old steering rack and fit the new one? then try to do it with the frame in the car? cheers

What Mal was saying is not to remove the frame, replace rack, reinstall frame, but rather to just use the whole front subframe assembly of the L/W series car instead of just specific parts

What Mal was saying is not to remove the frame, replace rack, reinstall frame, but rather to just use the whole front subframe assembly of the L/W series car instead of just specific parts


Yes I get that but i have just bought the TL rack and pump so I can't replace the whole lot.

I can't answer that, but while things are out I would suggest replacing those rubber boots

I can't answer that, but while things are out I would suggest replacing those rubber boots

Thanks Spetz, good advice will do that.

Let me know if its an easy job

Let me know if its an easy job

Sure will, looking into the best way to do it, may just drop the whole sub frame and remove the old rack and fit the new one, the parts haven't arrived yet but I might start pull the car apart this weekend if I'm keen.

Let me know if its an easy job

Hi RobosTH, got my TL rack and pump in my car, was a bit of a pain to get the old rack out, you have to remove the exhaust from the manifolds and remove the crossmember-to-centre member brace, plus I found I had to remove the drivers side tie rod end to get the rack out of the car, the Haynes manual doesn't say to do that but i found

How many hours did it take you?
Were there any physical differences between the two racks?
And most importantly, how does it feel to drive comparatively?

How many hours did it take you?
Were there any physical differences between the two racks?
And most importantly, how does it feel to drive comparatively?

Since I haven't done it before took me about 6 hours all up, good question about the physical differences between the racks as I asked this question about 2 weeks ago a few times with no replies, I found the brand name to be different, my old rack was TRW I think and the new one was TSSA, if that is the brand name I don't know, they looked both the same otherwise plus the TL rack was a goldish colour and the old rack was just the silver colour. How does it feel to drive? well I need a wheel alignment but i find there is more feel in the steering off centre, i will get back to you after the alignment and let you know what its like Spetz.

Thanks Deano, looking forward to it.
And yes I remember you asked about physical differences hence why I asked :)

Thanks Deano, looking forward to it.
And yes I remember you asked about physical differences hence why I asked :)

Hi Spetz, had the alignment done, the car is driving better, slightly heavier steering but I didn't notice a huge difference.

Well done Deano, how much did you the rack set you back?

Well done Deano, how much did you the rack set you back?

Hi Robos, got if off ebay, $216 all up for the rack, pump and postage, was from a wreckers in QLD,

Some people say the difference is quite noticeable, others I guess say there isn't much difference.

From what I understand the subframe itself is identical and hence there is no difference in geometry

I've been looking for steering geometry figures - caster, camber, toe-in - for the Magnas to see if there were any changes, but no joy so far.

Other than the rack and pump, the on-road feeling being different is probably due in part to the differences in wheel sizes and tyre profile between TJ and TL. (At a guess)

I've been looking for steering geometry figures - caster, camber, toe-in - for the Magnas to see if there were any changes, but no joy so far.

Other than the rack and pump, the on-road feeling being different is probably due in part to the differences in wheel sizes and tyre profile between TJ and TL. (At a guess)

I'm thinking of taking a TL for a test drive tomorrow thats for sale at a local car yard, just see what its like as I have never driven a TL before. I have a TF Advance also and in some ways I find nicer to drive then my KH XI

I think L and W series still received the same wheel size?

Mind you all L/W series received a rear swaybar where as most earlier 3rd gens did not have them

I think L and W series still received the same wheel size?

Mind you all L/W series received a rear swaybar where as most earlier 3rd gens did not have them

Yes, my mistake. I'm comparing the steering feel of a TJ sedan with standard steel rims and tyres (205 X 65 X 15) to that of a TL wagon with alloy wheels. (215 X 60 X 16).

Seeing the TJ has Bob Jane "All rounders" on the front, no wonder it feels less stable! Time for a change of tyres, I think. A few burnouts should do it! (just kidding.)

I must have a look under both cars to see which has a rear swaybar. No idea, really. lol

Yes, my mistake. I'm comparing the steering feel of a TJ sedan with standard steel rims and tyres (205 X 65 X 15) to that of a TL wagon with alloy wheels. (215 X 60 X 16).

Seeing the TJ has Bob Jane "All rounders" on the front, no wonder it feels less stable! Time for a change of tyres, I think. A few burnouts should do it! (just kidding.)

I must have a look under both cars to see which has a rear swaybar. No idea, really. lol

Just took my KH for a proper spin after fitting the TL rack, just done some high speed cornering out of town and yes theres much more feel in the steering, feels like you have more control.

Wagons don't have IRS though so I think it is not a good comparison to make

IMO if you fit the later model rack to, say a te/th, but change nothing else on the car, then you will still notice the difference.
It seems more precise and better feel.

IMO if you fit the later model rack to, say a te/th, but change nothing else on the car, then you will still notice the difference.
It seems more precise and better feel.

Have you fitted one Evil666?

I fitted a rear swaybar to my TJ sedan and it really sharpened up the steering and made it much quicker to respond. However it did not add any road feel to the steering.

Have you fitted one Evil666?

Yes, but was done when motor was out anyway.

I wouldn't do it unless (unless you are really keen!) there was an excuse, like old one stuffed or doing major work which makes it an easier job to do.

1. Yes there is a big difference in the racks
2. I dont bother just doing the rack, I will generally do the whole frame, arms etc etc. Is faster, you get better and new parts and is less hassle
3. Change rack, change pump with it
4. Having a wagon without IRS will make no difference to the fact you can feel a better steering set up in relation to general feel and weight

Customers who drive our loan cars often comment on how much better it feels than their TE, F H or J, they generally dont know what has been done to the loan car either

1. Yes there is a big difference in the racks
2. I dont bother just doing the rack, I will generally do the whole frame, arms etc etc. Is faster, you get better and new parts and is less hassle
3. Change rack, change pump with it
4. Having a wagon without IRS will make no difference to the fact you can feel a better steering set up in relation to general feel and weight

Customers who drive our loan cars often comment on how much better it feels than their TE, F H or J, they generally dont know what has been done to the loan car either

Hi Mal, what are the visual differences in the racks? the one I bought off ebay had a picture of a TL Magna in the ad but I had no proof the rack I received was out of that car as there was no pic of the rack just the car, the pump was identical to my old one

There are no differences, none that I am aware of

There are no differences, none that I am aware of

Ok cool thanks for your reply, the rack I took out of my KH had TWR or TRW on it the one I bought has TSSA on it like this one on ebay out of 2002 KJ http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mitsubishi-Magna-Verada-2002-TJ-POWER-STEERING-RACK-WHEEL-HUB-DISC-PART-GALOR-/290829380136?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43b6c82a28

where did you source the rack and the pump from?, secondhand im guessing. my biggest issue is finding one that isnt rooted. How can you tell if the pump/rack are any good when you find one.

also how hard is the pump to change, assuming you do this before the rack?

I run a TL/TW Rack in my TJ track car. Its centers better at high speed. I believe the TJ Ralliarts had the revised rack, and then they rolled them out in the TL/TW. I remember one of they guys who worked for Mitsi Australia saying it was an issue with wandering at high speeds on the TJ, and older rack. Rear swaybar is a more beneficial mod then the steering rack if you Magna does not have one factory fitted

. . . saying it was an issue with wandering at high speeds on the TJ . . .

Definitely need to concentrate more to keep my TJ on a straight line, lots of little corrections needed, much more so than my TL.

I run a TL/TW Rack in my TJ track car. Its centers better at high speed. I believe the TJ Ralliarts had the revised rack, and then they rolled them out in the TL/TW. I remember one of they guys who worked for Mitsi Australia saying it was an issue with wandering at high speeds on the TJ, and older rack. Rear swaybar is a more beneficial mod then the steering rack if you Magna does not have one factory fitted

Hi, thanks for that advice, not sure if my KH Verada has a rear sway bar, will check tomorrow, don't think it does, might have to fit one