Code for "sport" steering rack
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
Code for "sport" steering rack
I'm looking for a sport-ratio steering rack (2.0-turn), and am having trouble. The only one I can find is on eBay, and is for 84-87, whereas I need one with the 88-96 inner tie rods. There are more racks advertized, but they just list "codes," not a ratio, or whether it is sport or not.
Does anyone know the code of the 2.0-turn steering rack? The codes I've seen on ebay are: NS, YR, AJ, AK, YP, and FH.
Also, I may have to resort to a remanufactured rack from Autozone/others. They advertize 2 1/4 turns. I've heard a lot of people commenting about how the 2 racks aren't really 2.0 and 2.5 turns; so is 2 1/4 the quick or slow? Thanks for the help guys.
Does anyone know the code of the 2.0-turn steering rack? The codes I've seen on ebay are: NS, YR, AJ, AK, YP, and FH.
Also, I may have to resort to a remanufactured rack from Autozone/others. They advertize 2 1/4 turns. I've heard a lot of people commenting about how the 2 racks aren't really 2.0 and 2.5 turns; so is 2 1/4 the quick or slow? Thanks for the help guys.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
Is that due to the inner tie rods or the intermediate shaft attachment point? I know they made quick-ratio racks after '87, so getting the right inner tie rods should make that OK. Doing research I found some mention of differing intermediate shaft points, but no mention to when it changed or what years were compatible. When I replaced my intermediate shaft a year or so ago, I think it was sold as a 84-96 part, too.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
The suspension changed quite a bit in '88. I know they eliminated the fast ratio rack on later C4s, but don't know when that happened.
Maybe these guys can help you out:
http://www.turnone-steering.com/
Maybe these guys can help you out:
http://www.turnone-steering.com/
Last edited by Cliff Harris; Apr 27, 2012 at 01:06 AM. Reason: Added Turn One link.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
In the early models the fast rack was a component of the Z51 package.
Those racks are difficult to find in the aftermarket.
Best bet is pulling one from a salvage.
Those racks are difficult to find in the aftermarket.
Best bet is pulling one from a salvage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 33
From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
I ordered an '89 reman Z51 rack for my '96. All Z51s from 89 to I believe 92 have the sport rack that fits. No clue on the code for it. Bolted right in. I've only seen them listed as standard and sport, with sport being the quick ratio. You certainly want an '89 or newer rack.
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
The suspension changed quite a bit in '88. I know they eliminated the fast ratio rack on later C4s, but don't know when that happened.
Maybe these guys can help you out:
http://www.turnone-steering.com/
Maybe these guys can help you out:
http://www.turnone-steering.com/
Send your OEM unit to the guys at Turnone and have them rebuild it for you. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,110
Likes: 6
From: Red Sox Nation! RI
Stealth, if I'm not mistaken those codes refer to the letters stamped into the housing on the rack. But I don't know what they actually designate. I'd contact one of the rebuilders on ebay and see if they can give you some info on the differences. Rebuilt 2.0 turn sport racks are very difficult to find. The only reasonably priced ones I founds were from a couple rebuilders on ebay.
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: Highland Village texas
My 89 z51 is equiped from Bowling Green with the Fast rack which is Code Ns per the build sheet. Im not sure if the housings are the same between the slow ratio and fast. I would definitely make sure a rebuild at some vendor didnt turn it into a hybrid as far as ratio goes due to hard part changes.
Last edited by milsurpman; Apr 29, 2012 at 02:53 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
Thanks! That's definitely one of the codes I've seen.
Update: I found a seller advertising 84-92 reman racks, available in 2.5 or 2.0-turns. Did anything happen in 1993? I'm thinking its just confusion on the seller's part (and I shot him an email about it), but am I missing anything? I found a couple of similar ones, and I'll post them as soon as figure it out and buy one
Update: I found a seller advertising 84-92 reman racks, available in 2.5 or 2.0-turns. Did anything happen in 1993? I'm thinking its just confusion on the seller's part (and I shot him an email about it), but am I missing anything? I found a couple of similar ones, and I'll post them as soon as figure it out and buy one
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,110
Likes: 6
From: Red Sox Nation! RI
I'm pretty sure GM made 2.0, 2.25 and 2.5 turn ratio racks for the C4. Different inner tie rods would also make the overall rack part # different through the years, while the rack could still be the same for more years than advertised (just a guess). I thought the sport rack option became standard on all '96s? If that's the case, you already have a sport rack by default, though I don't know the ratio.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: Highland Village texas
Thanks! That's definitely one of the codes I've seen.
Update: I found a seller advertising 84-92 reman racks, available in 2.5 or 2.0-turns. Did anything happen in 1993? I'm thinking its just confusion on the seller's part (and I shot him an email about it), but am I missing anything? I found a couple of similar ones, and I'll post them as soon as figure it out and buy one
Update: I found a seller advertising 84-92 reman racks, available in 2.5 or 2.0-turns. Did anything happen in 1993? I'm thinking its just confusion on the seller's part (and I shot him an email about it), but am I missing anything? I found a couple of similar ones, and I'll post them as soon as figure it out and buy one
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
Just bought one! Found 2 sellers offering remanufactured racks. Here's the one I got. $304 with free shipping, and a $140 refund if you send back your core (effectively $164 including shipping; that's pretty good!). The seller confirmed that fitment did not change between 88 and 96, so I will be getting a 2.0-turn rack in 96 fitment.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290704664277?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_t rksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
And here's another one, slightly more expensive ($186 after core trade-in), that's still available:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400255314375?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_t rksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290704664277?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_t rksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
And here's another one, slightly more expensive ($186 after core trade-in), that's still available:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400255314375?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_t rksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
