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240 Anyone try the VP Autoparts 240 steering rack?

CVI Rack is installed but untested yet, I started to think that maybe its a good idea to replace the power steering pump also before I run fluid through the new rack. At $600 its not cheap and the pump is like $75. Looking for some opinions here to see if that is a reasonable thought. I did flush it out with new fluid a couple times but just hesitant on the pump. It functions fine, I'm just trying to be proactive.

As for the condition of the rack, seems very nice. It fit just as it should and there was no issues going in. I am looking forward to seeing how the car feels.
 
matto371 said:
CVI Rack is installed but untested yet, I started to think that maybe its a good idea to replace the power steering pump also before I run fluid through the new rack. At $600 its not cheap and the pump is like $75. Looking for some opinions here to see if that is a reasonable thought. I did flush it out with new fluid a couple times but just hesitant on the pump. It functions fine, I'm just trying to be proactive.

As for the condition of the rack, seems very nice. It fit just as it should and there was no issues going in. I am looking forward to seeing how the car feels.
Click to expand...
If the pump is operating fine and you don't see any signs of distress. I keep the pump and roll with it. Especially if you did keep the fluid changed every so often. i have found Moly Slip for power steering to aid in the service of the rack and pump.
 
drj434343 said:
Anyone try the VP Autoparts NEW 240 CAM steering rack?

Like many here, I've been searching for a steering rack option now that rebuilt units have dried up. One mention in 2021 on this forum said VP Autoparts was coming with a R&P offering in 2022, and it does appear their website has this option for a rebuilt core:

https://vp-autoparts.com/en/artiklar/rack_pinion-240-79-93-2-bolt-2.html

$484 plus a $115 core charge. If the core has to ship to Europe, might be easier to just keep it...

After hearing back from Lennart at VP Autoparts, he informed me the above part isn't in stock and would require a core to be sent in which would then go to the rebuilders. He did suggest this CAM rack which does appear to be in stock:

https://vp-autoparts.com/en/artiklar/rack-pinion-240-79-84-cam.html

After a bit more back and forth, I was told this rack is a NEW reproduction rack with zero miles! No cores required. If true, this would be an amazing option even considering the price.

Quality is a big question. The website has little or no info, and incorrectly references a core charge. I haven't been able to get much more info volunteered from my email correspondence either.

Has anyone tried one of these?
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I am running one, just needed to buy a mount kit from ebay. It's a very nice unit.
 
I finally have my rack installed, car alignment done, and have begun putting miles on the unit.

Installation was fairly straight forward, though I did have to notch my cross member slightly to allow the passenger side hard line to clear. I've seen the similar vintage CAM racks installed without this requirement, so I'm not sure why I needed it, but it was not a huge deal.

No leaks so far. No perceptible play at the center of travel. Steering effort amplification feels linear lock to lock and is higher than the clapped out ZF rack I removed.

My observations are biased the issues with the supposedly rebuilt ZF rack I removed, which included several degrees of play at the center of travel, leaks from boots, and a strangely non-linear amplification through lock to lock.

I've never driven with a new rack, but this unit "feels" like a new rack to me. No wandering, precise steering feel, and no clicking or play when I nudge the steering wheel side to side a few degrees when parked.

I'll continue to update on my observations as I accumulate miles and/or encounter problems. So far it looks great to me. If it continues to hold up, I may buy a 2nd just to have a spare!
 
I have starting driving with my new CVI rack also. Way easier to install then I had thought. Couple 45min stints and it was done and dusted. no complaints other then it feeling softer then I'd care for, the steering wheel is very soft. That could be my pump set up too though. Its a ford 5.0 so ford power steering pump. Quality sure looks good as far as visuals go.
 
matto371 said:
I have starting driving with my new CVI rack also. Way easier to install then I had thought. Couple 45min stints and it was done and dusted. no complaints other then it feeling softer then I'd care for, the steering wheel is very soft. That could be my pump set up too though. Its a ford 5.0 so ford power steering pump. Quality sure looks good as far as visuals go.
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Change the spool valve in your pump.
 
blkaplan said:
Change the spool valve in your pump.
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I don't think you can easily to that with the ford pumps, but the outlet hole needs to be decreased so the pump is flowing less.
Edit: the spool valve is more the pressure side of the pump, the flow control valve is more a part of the flow aspect.
 
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matto371 said:
... no complaints other then it feeling softer then I'd care for, the steering wheel is very soft. That could be my pump set up too though. Its a ford 5.0 so ford power steering pump.
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You'll either need to change out to a Saginaw type-2 pump with the appropriate flow control fitting, or install something like this:
www.speedwaymotors.com

Heidts PS-101 Adjustable Power Steering Flow Valve

If you have power steering on your car and it has too much assist or a 'twitchy' feel to it you may have too much pressure to the rack or box. This nifty valve allows you to adjust the pressure and get the road feel you want. It has a 1/4" npt inlet and outlet for the pressure line, and a 3/8"...
www.speedwaymotors.com www.speedwaymotors.com
 
culberro said:
I don't think you can easily to that with the ford pumps, but the outlet hole needs to be decreased so the pump is flowing less.
Edit: the spool valve is more the pressure side of the pump, the flow control valve is more a part of the flow aspect.
Click to expand...
flow valve was the word I was looking for, thank you
 
drj434343 said:
I finally have my rack installed, car alignment done, and have begun putting miles on the unit.

Installation was fairly straight forward, though I did have to notch my cross member slightly to allow the passenger side hard line to clear. I've seen the similar vintage CAM racks installed without this requirement, so I'm not sure why I needed it, but it was not a huge deal.

No leaks so far. No perceptible play at the center of travel. Steering effort amplification feels linear lock to lock and is higher than the clapped out ZF rack I removed.

My observations are biased the issues with the supposedly rebuilt ZF rack I removed, which included several degrees of play at the center of travel, leaks from boots, and a strangely non-linear amplification through lock to lock.

I've never driven with a new rack, but this unit "feels" like a new rack to me. No wandering, precise steering feel, and no clicking or play when I nudge the steering wheel side to side a few degrees when parked.

I'll continue to update on my observations as I accumulate miles and/or encounter problems. So far it looks great to me. If it continues to hold up, I may buy a 2nd just to have a spare!
Click to expand...
matto371 said:
I have starting driving with my new CVI rack also. Way easier to install then I had thought. Couple 45min stints and it was done and dusted. no complaints other then it feeling softer then I'd care for, the steering wheel is very soft. That could be my pump set up too though. Its a ford 5.0 so ford power steering pump. Quality sure looks good as far as visuals go.
Click to expand...
volvosruinedmylife said:
I am running one, just needed to buy a mount kit from ebay. It's a very nice unit.
Click to expand...
So how is it going a few months in?
 
spock345 said:
So how is it going a few months in?
Click to expand...
I put about 500 miles on it. I also installed a magnetic filter in the return just to be safe as the pump wasn't brand new. I just sold the csr and it made the drive from Arizona to Portland. It had the best steering of any of my volvos. I had to buy a bracket kit off of ebay to make it work with my car. It had a zf in it before. The one I got from them was a really nice unit. I think I posted a thread about it a few months ago. I will buy one again from them it was a new manufactured one. Thr quality was amazing. I will buy another when my 242 needs one. It's just like one of the most expensive items for these cars. Everything else is fairly cheap.
 
Usually when it's a new unit purchase no core is required. That's how the other suppliers are doing it as far as I know. If you buy one from CVI automotive they don't need a core.
 
Usually a small world when rebuilding or repopping parts. I'd say CVI is the place having them made and VP and all the rest are wholesale customers. Why I say that is I installed a Amazon slave cylinder and it was marked CVI on it. So they are remaking major components. Thank you CVI!
 
dl242gt said:
Usually a small world when rebuilding or repopping parts. I'd say CVI is the place having them made and VP and all the rest are wholesale customers. Why I say that is I installed a Amazon slave cylinder and it was marked CVI on it. So they are remaking major components. Thank you CVI!
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Right on....

I wonder then....probably the one they've got over at IPD is a CVI too. I also wonder if it's worth the gamble. It'd get here the quickest, and it's ~$60 cheaper...

IPD: $475 + $79
CVI: $453 + $159
CVR: $666 +$56
VP Auto: $666 + $76

Then again...what's a 'gamble' when you drive the car less than 1,000 miles a year?
 
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