Hi;

I have got a strong knock at the front, more apparent when manouvering... I have had this diagnosed and then re-checked at Volkspeed who confirmed it is the rack - car has covered nearly 90k so I guess it is plausible, especially being lower with stiffer ARBs and 18s.

Now I am going to have to source a 2nd hand low mileage rack in replacement - no way am I paying full VW cost and as Volkspeed suggested copies from auto factors, etc. can often end up being more noisy and unreliable unless you are lucky.

I have read the Audi TT 225 / 3.2 and R32 racks are the best replacement for my car - coupled with new 4motion track rod ends? (Running std 4motion hubs/wishbones).

Would this be my best option? If so can someone confirm the 225 and 3.2 TT models are the same as the R32? Are any other cars fitted with this rack as well - i.e. the LCR perhaps?

I can get an R32 rack which has covered about 50k for £80 - could be a good option though if I can source lower mileage I would prefer it.

Thanks in advance.

 anyone?

From what i've heard the TT rack cuts down steering by about one full turn or so.  If you have to replace the whole lot anyway, then it might be worth it.  There's a few people on here that have done it.

John

Yeah I will be replacing the rack with the TT / R32 option.

From what I have read the TT225 / V6 and R32 racks are all the same.

What I need to know is do I need to just buy 4motion track rod ends or do I need to buy 4motion track rods too?

That, i am not sure about, but threre should be someone on here that does.

John

 if used the TT rack u will need the TT track end rods as the thread on the 4motion is different from THE tt

 aren't TT track rod ends those curved things - i.e. so wont fit onto my hubs? and before anyone suggests it I am not changing my hubs!

 u jus needs to change the hub carrier to the TT hub carrier ....

I've definitely read somewhere in the past that I can use a R32 rack without having to change hubs etc...

 A R32 Rack will fit along with a TT rack or a Seat Leon Cupra R one.  WRT the track rods you can take your existing tie rods and track rods off your existing rack and put them straight onto your TT/R32 rack.  That way you dont have to change the hubs/carriers.  Alternativly if you are replacing the rack you might aswell buy the the new Tie Rods and trackrods new about £50 for both sides whack them on the rack put it all on in one go...  That way you dont have to flip around with the old rack....

 Thats what I wanted to hear...

so i have to replace the track rods as well - no problems at all.

I take it VW prices for track rods and ends are daft money!

I've just done this only today - you might wanna read my thread first...

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/208427.aspx

Thanks for this - will hang fire on changing to an R32 rack before yours is resolved then.

Cheers, Chris

So if I was to keep the 4MO rack does it share its rack with any other models? With the 4MO being a bit rarer it might be easier to find an alternative at low mileage.

Right....

Update from fitting my Audi TT rack for ya.

As we speak it's having the Audi TT rack arms and track rod ends and Audi S3 hubs - we're 90% sure this resolves the ESP problem I've been experiencing since fitting the Audi TT rack with the 4Mo rack arms.

I am due to collect it tomorrow so can tell you for sure.

Hayley

ps  as it turns out my 4Mo steering rack is fine anyway as the creaking/clonking is still present with the new Audi TT rack, so you're welcome to buy mine off me if you want or you can take yours off and have it refurbed for around £100+.

 well i only just put brand new wishbones, balljoints and droplinks on so im reluctant to change the lot and tbh i can't be arsed!

how much you looking for?

also question still stands - what other cars share the same?

Was thinking £50 literally just for the rack itself (no rack arms) as I only had new rack arms fitted at PSI (£50 each) last month and your existing rack arms will fit straight on.  Gonna sell the rack arms on Ebay.

I know it costs £21 to send via www.parcel2go.com - there may be somewhere cheaper or I could take it with me to E38 at the end of the month.

I'm not sure what other racks fit the 4Mo and PSI recommended I simply replace with a 4Mo rack but I got the idea from you guys on here to upgrade it to the Audi/TT rack but didn't realise everything else had to be replaced too, hence problems I've been having.

EDIT:  this is being fitted back onto my car as we speak as the fix to mine didn't work on the Audi TT rack, so not selling it now but I do however have a nice Audi TT rack

 nah thanks your welcome to keep the TT rack I can't be doing with all that hassle!

I would buy new track rods and ends for any replacement rack anyway.... just a case of knowing what other models the 4MO rack was fitted to.

I am much more likely to find a low mileage GTI rack for exmaple than a 4MO one... anyone know if they share with any other models? I need to replace it ASAP as it is well and truely doing my head in!! Knock, creak, bang - f**K OFF!

You can get your existing rack reconditioned from £50+ apparently.

 Yeah but to be honest I'd rather got a low mileage 2nd hand one and just do a straight swap - in the long run its cheaper and I don't want anything other than an OE part as Volkspeed suggest aftermarket parts tend to whine and groan, etc.

IS there any variation on the 1.6 > GTI > 4motion? Or does the rack only differ on the R32?

mr_nismo:

IS there any variation on the 1.6 > GTI > 4motion? Or does the rack only differ on the R32?

I don't know the answer so I can't comment but I'd get someone with ETKA to check the part no.s of a GTI and 4Motion and see if they are different - I know a brand new 4Motion rack from VW is £400.

Dent - can you confirm on this one mate?!