Bastuck conversion steering rack type

[Kiwifrog]

I was just wondering if anyone knew what the steering rack used on the bastuck rack and pinion steering rack conversion is from originally or if it is a custom part?

cheers

Alan

Edited August 10, 2025 by Kiwifrog
Photo

[stuart]

Probably either left hand drive mini or early Ford Escort.

Stuart.

[Kiwifrog]

Thanks for that Stuart, it does look like a MK1 escort rack but I will have to check the dimensions which I found on the net for the escort. The reason I am trying to find out is when I have asked bastuck France about spares for the kit i have never received a reply, and I don't want to have to pay close to a thousand euros for a complete kit if I ever have to repair or replace the rack. I will crawl under the car later this week to get and compare the bastuck rack

Escort MK1 Rack dimensions

Overal length,track rod end>track rod end,1025mm  
End of Gaiter>end of Gaiter,680mm  
Length of rack shaft,600mm  
Diameter outside rack tube,28mm  
Centreline of small rack clamp > centreline of large rack clamp,260mm  
Centreline of large rack clamp>centreline of steering shaft,55mm  
Note,this is a RHD rack 

 

steering rack.pdf

Edited August 10, 2025 by Kiwifrog
clarity

[Graham Harris]

As far as I know Bastuck are in Germany and the rack I have uses a left hand drive Mini rack for a right hand drive TR3A, when I ordered parts from them I just got them on the phone, the sales clerk spoke good English and my order was fulfilled with no issues mind you it was a while ago probable 2009.

Graham

[TimG]

I recently had the rack overhauled on the conversion done in South Africa. Source was unknown but it turned out to be a L/h drive Mini rack fitted upside down on a R/H drive car. I would think sending the fitted rack for overhaul would be a cheaper option though may take longer.

[Brianjone5]

The YouTube channel Rusty Beauties has just published an excellent couple of videos on the Bastuk rack install.

My view: the kit can allow the mechanical fan to be retained but the gap between the rack and the extension (snout) looks way to small to allow for engine movement in operation. Better to eliminate the fan.

The kit means for those with the stock control head (horn and indicator), the self-cancel feature is lost and the control head rotates with the wheel. As my car came to me with a MotoLita wheel and a turn signal switch on the dash, with no auto-cancelling, this is not unimportant. 

Finally, the slip ring connections between the steering shaft and the stationary wiring loom seem very dodgy, particularly the final outer connections to the sprung plungers that ride on the slip rings.

[Ian Vincent]

3 hours ago, Brianjone5 said:

Finally, the slip ring connections between the steering shaft and the stationary wiring loom seem very dodgy, particularly the final outer connections to the sprung plungers that ride on the slip rings.

I have a Bastuck slip ring and over the years I have made a number of adjustments to the wiring/connections to make it reliable. My latest fix was done over 18 months ago so maybe it’s finally sorted.  The final outer connections referred to above are a particularly poor detail.

Rgds Ian

 

[TimG]

On 12/25/2025 at 8:55 AM, Brianjone5 said:

The YouTube channel Rusty Beauties has just published an excellent couple of videos on the Bastuk rack install.

My view: the kit can allow the mechanical fan to be retained but the gap between the rack and the extension (snout) looks way to small to allow for engine movement in operation. Better to eliminate the fan.

The kit means for those with the stock control head (horn and indicator), the self-cancel feature is lost and the control head rotates with the wheel. As my car came to me with a MotoLita wheel and a turn signal switch on the dash, with no auto-cancelling, this is not unimportant. 

Finally, the slip ring connections between the steering shaft and the stationary wiring loom seem very dodgy, particularly the final outer connections to the sprung plungers that ride on the slip rings.

On my car with L/H Mini rack means that there is not enough space to get the fan belt off so I have a split-able Power Twist Plus V-Belt as a spare. The fan is electric & the indicator stalk is clamped to the column.