Subaru Group N Steering Rack Coupler

I've got a Group N steering rack for a first gen (GC) Impreza. The splines on the rack are much smaller than the splines on the stock rack. So the stock U-joint coupler between the steering column and rack doesn't work. Is there anyone out there with a GC Group N rack? If so, what coupler are you using? I realize that there aren't too many Subaru guys here, but I thought it'd be worth checking.

I was thinking of having the coupler re-splined. If anyone has a better idea, I'd like to know.

Thanks,
- Ian

Not to be any help to the question but, I am also building a fwd Impreza. I'd be happy to share notes picts etc... looks like we are on separate coasts though.

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-KTurner
Stomp down on the exhilarator and hold on to the wheel.

Here is something that might work.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/m/180_Race-Steering-U-Joints-Couplers.html

More...
http://www.flamingriver.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=results/Category_ID=183/home_id=82/mode=cat/cat183.htm


Search google for steering u joint.

Also Coleman may have something close.

If all else fails buy one thats smaller than what you need and have it redrilled and resplined.

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Michael LeCompte

Remember that GpN parts may be beefier but somre thing remain the same as series Production.
Check other year Sub-a-rats.

Japanese ALWAYS make their spline counts different than the same nominal size Euro or US shafts just to piss you off.

Look at the parts catalogs.

Talk to a rack reman place ask them the diameters of various years.

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Monika Hawkinson
Seattle, WA

Thanks for all the input. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do, but I'll check to see if I can just buy one.

Hey Kevin T, I'd be glad to share notes on my build. I haven't been doing a good job of taking pictures though. Any immediate questions you have? For me the biggest issue has been the FWD transmission differences. I didn't realize that it was smaller in pretty much every way than the AWD ones.

Pinter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks for all the input. I'm still not sure what
> I'm going to do, but I'll check to see if I can
> just buy one.
>
> Hey Kevin T, I'd be glad to share notes on my
> build. I haven't been doing a good job of taking
> pictures though. Any immediate questions you have?
> For me the biggest issue has been the FWD
> transmission differences. I didn't realize that it
> was smaller in pretty much every way than the AWD
> ones.
>


The fwd trans is ok for the 1.8 I think. My issue with the fwd trans is that on my 93 the input shaft spline is different and there are no clutch or final drive options, the '95 might be able to use a different clutch. The fwd clutch has a single damping spring versus dual for the awd and I have already broken one with rallyX duty (note I have a welded diff and stiff rear mount). here's two links to my 4wd to 2wd trans project.


http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,18286
http://s92.photobucket.com/albums/l26/junglefbs/Subie%202wd%20trans/

The other thing I did was to swap out the rear subframe with a 4wd sans diff. The rear strut mounts between the 2 and 4 are a little different and the spacing on the lateral links which means you can't just swap hubs.

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-KTurner
Stomp down on the exhilarator and hold on to the wheel.

You also need the AWD gas tank, at least if you go to the rear disc brake uprights.
Also, Kaaz may say that their diff can fit in the 2WD transmission, but it definitely does not.
These are both second hand experiences that Mike Kilpatrick had prior to Rally Colorado. Pulled apart the transmission to install the diff two days before the event, only to just put it right back together and back into the car.

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Grant Hughes

NoCoast Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You also need the AWD gas tank, at least if you go
> to the rear disc brake uprights.
>
> Grant Hughes
> www.nocoastmotorsports.net
> Denver, CO

or cut the subframe to fit :-)

in addition the awd drum cylinders are a larger bore than the 2wd (at least on mine). I just swapped them out.

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-KTurner
Stomp down on the exhilarator and hold on to the wheel.

I was actually able to swap to 2.5RS rear hubs and brakes without changing the rear subframe. I did notice the the lateral links are spread out a bit more than they were. I do have the AWD gas tank, and subframe, so I'll swap over to those before I actually rally the car. Do you know if you can use the FWD lateral links with the AWD subframe?

I have no idea how the FWD transmission will handle the 2.5 liter, but we'll see. I'm not too worried, it was cheep. I'm planning on just running an open diff and stock final drive for the first couple rallies. I'll just plan on building an AWD transmission into FWD if I want to stick with G2.

Pinter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was actually able to swap to 2.5RS rear hubs and
> brakes without changing the rear subframe. I did
> notice the the lateral links are spread out a bit
> more than they were. I do have the AWD gas tank,
> and subframe, so I'll swap over to those before I
> actually rally the car. Do you know if you can use
> the FWD lateral links with the AWD subframe?

if I remember correctly, the lateral links are the same awd to fwd but the inboard bushings are different?

---

-KTurner
Stomp down on the exhilarator and hold on to the wheel.

Okay, I'll make sure to double check that when I go for the swap.

Speaking of bushings, are you running stock bushings for everything? I'd like to get something tougher, but I haven't found much for the GC imprezas.

Thanks for everyones ideas. I ended up getting a Flaming River u-joint that fit the rack and grinding off the stock u-joint. Here is a pic if anyone is interested. I just need to get it welded together so it won't come apart.