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Old 02-02-2010, 01:56 PM   #1
TXwrxWagon
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Default STi Solid steering column linkage > WRX rack?

ok... search, read stickies, even goofed around on the 9-2x forums... no definitive answer.

Will the solid shaft linkage for the STi work on a WRX rack-n-pinion?

Everything I read says the columns are identical. so the question is if the spline count on the STi rack is different.

Obviously the rack ratio is an improvement. But the rubber-joint versus the solid link would make a huge difference in feel.

thanks
Rob
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Old 02-02-2010, 09:37 PM   #2
bluemicamatt
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i'm interested as well...

anyone?
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Old 02-02-2010, 09:57 PM   #3
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afaik yes it will. i looked into one of'em a while ago, they were $180 from the dealer
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Old 02-03-2010, 01:16 PM   #4
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subscribed.
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Old 02-03-2010, 01:20 PM   #5
watkins
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i had the whole 06 sti steering rack installed on my 96 impreza brighton along with my sti swap.
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Old 02-03-2010, 01:24 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by watkins View Post
i had the whole 06 sti steering rack installed on my 96 impreza brighton along with my sti swap.
and.......? any input towards OP's questions?
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Old 02-03-2010, 02:50 PM   #7
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well the reason i say yes is cause when i called my buddy at the dealer an asked they showed up on the same page for a 04 wrx/sti, i guess take that as a grain of salt tho
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Old 02-22-2010, 10:53 AM   #8
eagle98ak
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Anybody come across the part number for this?
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Old 02-22-2010, 04:14 PM   #9
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Just as an update for everyone, just dropped in the 05 sti rack and subframe with the sti solid connector. No issues with anything other than getting my wheel centered again.

C/N: The solid link will drop in place of the wrx rubber bushing piece. GD Body tested.
No part number but I think it is known as the STI steering coupler 04-07 sti fitment.
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Old 02-22-2010, 05:07 PM   #10
Noah
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GhostRide View Post
Just as an update for everyone, just dropped in the 05 sti rack and subframe with the sti solid connector. No issues with anything other than getting my wheel centered again.

C/N: The solid link will drop in place of the wrx rubber bushing piece. GD Body tested.
No part number but I think it is known as the STI steering coupler 04-07 sti fitment.
I just swapped this part into my WRX and I can't get my wheel perfectly centered. I'm about due for an alignment anyways though. Swapping is pretty easy and if you do it I would recommend doing steering rack bushings with it since you have to loosen the steering rack from the mounts to swap the linkage anyways.
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Old 02-22-2010, 05:13 PM   #11
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If you do what I did and swap rack/subframe/coupler. Might as well add the group n mounts, rack bushings, swaybar, and possibly valve cover gaskets with all the spare room.

Aligning is not that hard if you remember to loosen the top (steering wheel side) and remove the bolt from the bottom (rack side), slide the coupler up towards the steering wheel and rotate it a notch or two in the opposite direction the wheel was off. Reconnect and re-tighten. Or just go to get an alignment and tell them to sort it.
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Old 02-22-2010, 05:21 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GhostRide View Post
If you do what I did and swap rack/subframe/coupler. Might as well add the group n mounts, rack bushings, swaybar, and possibly valve cover gaskets with all the spare room.

Aligning is not that hard if you remember to loosen the top (steering wheel side) and remove the bolt from the bottom (rack side), slide the coupler up towards the steering wheel and rotate it a notch or two in the opposite direction the wheel was off. Reconnect and re-tighten. Or just go to get an alignment and tell them to sort it.
I'll just get an alignment. Auto-x season isn't that far away.
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Old 02-24-2010, 01:34 PM   #13
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thanks all... my '04 Wagon is in the body shop & I have to replace the steering rack, 1 lower control arm, both ball joints (won't do just 1 side), & the sway bar, so I was thinking go full bore.. Sti lower arms, rack, solid shaft, new bushings, & Whiteline adj Sway to round it all out.

I am doing a sedan conversion to the front anyway, so the extra width would be a good thing.

after the workout my wagon got (semi vs me vs concrete barrier 4 times) the alignment from to to bottom is a given.

but thanks for all the input.

Rob
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Old 04-28-2010, 02:55 PM   #14
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Any feedback after swapping the linkage? noticeable better response?
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Old 07-15-2010, 01:40 AM   #15
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I've been meaning to post this, and was going to do a diy thread but didn't take pics.....

but....the install is very straight foward, its pretty much the same install for steering rack bushings. If you are going to do this mod and don't have steering rack bushings yet, now would be perfect time to do.

unbolt the steering rack bushing clamps, the 4 bolts on the center jacking plate, mark position, loosen both coupler bolts.

drop the rack, slide off old rubber damper wrx coupler, install 04-07 sti steering linkage coupler. You should have someone sit in the car and hold the steering wheel in place, or use bunjee cord, tow straps. Use a towel so the straps wont leave marks on nice leather steering wheel. Nice places to mount straps are "oh shxt handles", door lock mounts on b pillar, ebake, head rest.

I had no problems sliding back in and aligning mine. I might have been off by 1 tooth but I had alignment done soon after.


cn: Good mod, worth doing. More direct and precise steering, less wobble and vague-ness. I also feel there is less "kick back"in the steering wheel, also less dead center feeling

I don't know the part number or how much the price but I got mine cheap for ~35 shipped in the classifieds awhile ago and finally installed in cpl months ago.

If you guys can get this at a decent price i think you guys should try it. I felt much more from this mod compared to steering rack bushings.
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Old 07-15-2010, 09:42 AM   #16
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hmm very interesting..let's keep hearing more inputs...
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Old 10-12-2010, 10:31 AM   #17
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bring back from the dead

i'm looking at 04 diagrams compared to GC and trying to use google but i cant figure out what part exactly you guys are talking about.

can someone link a part number of photo?
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Old 10-12-2010, 05:20 PM   #18
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It looks like this. The car in the pic is actually a Legacy GT, but this is a good shot and it's the same on a WRX.
EDIT: The coupler in this picture is the one WRX owners would want to upgrade to, I posted the crappy stock WRX one below.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg DSCF2423.JPG (88.3 KB, 739 views)

Last edited by Dentt42; 10-13-2010 at 07:55 AM. Reason: Clarification
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Old 10-12-2010, 08:32 PM   #19
notallama
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i'm curious about the OP comment of "solid" vs "rubber", i havent paid much attention to my own steering linkage but i'm surprised that there are any rubber components to it.

??
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Old 10-12-2010, 09:20 PM   #20
Dentt42
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The one for the STi has a solid steel shaft between the U-joints like a small driveshaft, the WRX piece has rubber bushings in it to dampen vibration.
Edit: While I was looking for a part number I did find a pic of the one on a WRX.

Last edited by Dentt42; 10-13-2010 at 07:57 AM. Reason: Clarification
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Old 10-12-2010, 10:43 PM   #21
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wow

i dont have that! (01 RS), guess i should feel lucky
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Old 10-12-2010, 10:57 PM   #22
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i've had an 04' in my 02' for 2 years. w/your 06 i believe any sti rack 05+ will work.
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Old 10-12-2010, 11:22 PM   #23
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I'm under the impression that the bottom plate of the WRX plastic coupling is one solid metal disc.
Be this the case, the only purpose of the coupling is to dampen motion up and down (axialy).
This is what I thought I saw when I installed my qrack. I was gearing up to find a solid coupling at the time.
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Old 10-12-2010, 11:40 PM   #24
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I just looked up the part number for this. For the 05-07 STi, the listed part number is 34170FE050. However, the drawing doesn't draw that coupler any different than the RS or WRX one. Considering how half-assed some of these drawings are, though, that doesn't mean much. Someone needs to order one of that part number and see what shows up.

Also, does this have any impact on the steering column's ability to collapse during a crash?
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Old 10-13-2010, 03:02 AM   #25
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I did this swap, I think you guys should also try it. I'm curious to see if you guys like it and can feel a difference.

I've had my sti coupler on for 15k miles. steering feels more direct, less wobble, and less dead spot in the middle.

if anything I think I feel more of a diff with this vs steering rack bushings which I was not too impressed with.
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