new rack and pinion for older worm gear?

Question

I was reading through the Bentley manual and it says the 75 and later convertibles used rack and pinion steering.

Hmmm..

Can this retro fit into a 73 Super? Is the pan different? Is it just mounting brackets and such with newer tie rods?

geoffers · Accepted Answer

Sounds interesting; retrofitting pre-75 Super Beetle with rack and pinion steering. I wonder where you would mount the rack and pinion unit. Perhaps, you will have to fabricate mounting points. Hopefully, VW didn't redesign the frame head when they switched over to rack and pinion.

-GE

David Gravereaux · Answer

Yeah, that's what I'm wondering about, but have no clue how different theyare.

Peter · Answer

Unfortunately, VW did alter the frame head slightly, in the area where thesteering damper was mounted.  The neck has a deep contour to allow clearancefor the body of the rack.  There is also the added mounting points on thelower edge of the side panels, but the shape of the panels is the same.  Themodification has been done before, but it really doesn't make too muchsense, unless you convert to the negative offset late suspension as well,IMHO.

new rack and pinion for older worm gear?

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