'09 Sti steering rack into '06 crossmember?

Hobz · 11-27-2011, 06:35 PM

I have heard of '07 steering racks into '04 crossmembers, but my '09 sti steering rack appears to be different, especially around the steering column input shaft and the plumbing around it. It looks like I can make room by enlarging the hole that the shaft goes through in the crossmember, but I wanted to see if anyone else had tried already.

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Hobz · 01-05-2012, 08:05 PM

After quite a bit of work, I have determined it is possible to make it fit in theory, but unfortunately the length of the inner tie rods are too long, and where they screw into the rack they use M18 threads instead of M16 which all the shorter inner tie rods use (only the later models of sti uses M18), so I can't shorten the assembly enough to fit my RS.

This might work on an Sti which has a wider track, but there wouldn't really be any benefit to it.

So, now I'm looking for a '04-'06 rack :P

R & H Garage · 01-06-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobz

After quite a bit of work, I have determined it is possible to make it fit in theory, but unfortunately the length of the inner tie rods are too long, and where they screw into the rack they use M18 threads instead of M16 which all the shorter inner tie rods use (only the later models of sti uses M18), so I can't shorten the assembly enough to fit my RS.

This might work on an Sti which has a wider track, but there wouldn't really be any benefit to it.

So, now I'm looking for a '04-'06 rack :P

You're going to run into a similar issue with the 04-06 Rack. (the 04' sti rack has the quicker steering ratio, but uses the older style 93-04 mounts). Any 02+ Sedan is going to have longer inner steering rods than your RS. To remedy the issue you'll need to swap in Sedan drive axles, STI control arms and Sedan front struts.

Dan Cech · 01-07-2012, 10:58 PM

I'm running an '04 STi rack with narrow track GC control arms and WRX wagon axles in my BD Legacy, and there is plenty of adjustment in the outer tie rod ends to get the toe where it needs to be.

Hobz · 01-07-2012, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R & H Garage

You're going to run into a similar issue with the 04-06 Rack. (the 04' sti rack has the quicker steering ratio, but uses the older style 93-04 mounts). Any 02+ Sedan is going to have longer inner steering rods than your RS. To remedy the issue you'll need to swap in Sedan drive axles, STI control arms and Sedan front struts.

Dan Cech is correct from what I've read. The '09 is wider yet than the '06 and younger sti's and so it uses unique, extra long inner tie rods, with unique M20 threads where it screws into the rack. People haven't had problems bolting in the '04 sti rack into 2.5RSs, because even though the sti had a wider track, it could still be adjusted in.

The '09 rack, set to it's narrowest, is still 1.5" longer end to end than my 2.5RS rack.

Dan Cech · 01-08-2012, 04:09 PM

Yep, so as you posted earlier you just need an 04-06 STi rack, which will be a direct bolt-in for the RS.

I did this writeup on what I think is the easiest and cleanest way to make the STi rack mate up to the RS steering column splines. Cliff notes: swap the rack end of the steering linkages, no cutting or welding required.

11-27-2011, 06:35 PM	#1
Hobz Scooby Newbie Member#: 153246 Join Date: Jul 2007 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Boston Vehicle: '00 2.5RS White	'09 Sti steering rack into '06 crossmember? I have heard of '07 steering racks into '04 crossmembers, but my '09 sti steering rack appears to be different, especially around the steering column input shaft and the plumbing around it. It looks like I can make room by enlarging the hole that the shaft goes through in the crossmember, but I wanted to see if anyone else had tried already. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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01-05-2012, 08:05 PM	#2
Hobz Scooby Newbie Member#: 153246 Join Date: Jul 2007 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Boston Vehicle: '00 2.5RS White	After quite a bit of work, I have determined it is possible to make it fit in theory, but unfortunately the length of the inner tie rods are too long, and where they screw into the rack they use M18 threads instead of M16 which all the shorter inner tie rods use (only the later models of sti uses M18), so I can't shorten the assembly enough to fit my RS. This might work on an Sti which has a wider track, but there wouldn't really be any benefit to it. So, now I'm looking for a '04-'06 rack :P

01-07-2012, 10:58 PM	#4
Dan Cech Scooby Newbie Member#: 67154 Join Date: Jul 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Central NY Vehicle: 2007 Audi RS4 Avus	I'm running an '04 STi rack with narrow track GC control arms and WRX wagon axles in my BD Legacy, and there is plenty of adjustment in the outer tie rod ends to get the toe where it needs to be.

01-08-2012, 04:09 PM	#6
Dan Cech Scooby Newbie Member#: 67154 Join Date: Jul 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Central NY Vehicle: 2007 Audi RS4 Avus	Yep, so as you posted earlier you just need an 04-06 STi rack, which will be a direct bolt-in for the RS. I did this writeup on what I think is the easiest and cleanest way to make the STi rack mate up to the RS steering column splines. Cliff notes: swap the rack end of the steering linkages, no cutting or welding required.