Steering questions (steering rack info)

[BoddaBing]

Ok, to be honest I don't have a SMART car...though it would be nice. But the reason I signed up here is because I was looking for a smaller steering rack to design a double wishbone suspension around so I can utilize longer lower control arms. When thinking about it I got a lightbulb in my head saying "THE SMART CAR SHOULD HAVE A SHORT RACK!!!" so I searched the internet and found almost nothing about it except that it's a rack and pinion.

Could anyone give me any information about the steering rack? Such as the length from the inner tie rod pivot points, steering ratio, and I think I saw that it has electric power steering so a little more info on that would be nice too.

Sorry about highjacking your nice forum place here, but I could find the info I needed anywhere.

[JD10367]

Hold on, let me go pick up the front end and take a look, LOL.

There are some smart people out here, as in, "people who actually work with Smart cars", so I'm sure someone will have info for you.

The cars come with and without power steering. Without is cheaper (around $450 less, IIRC) so if you don't need the power steering you can pick yourself up a base Pure for around $12k new. Just make sure we get photos of any cool mods!

[trauterNJ]

According to the fortwo tech manual, with the standard rack-and-pinion, the steering ratio is 22.1 If it is equipped with Electronic Power Steering, the ratio is 21.1

That's all I got for ya.

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by trauterNJ

According to the fortwo tech manual, with the standard rack-and-pinion, the steering ratio is 22.1 If it is equipped with Electronic Power Steering, the ratio is 21.1

That's all I got for ya.

Yeah, and there are some pictures in the tech manual which might give him some idea, but unfortunately for some reason I'm not allowed to post attachments here.

[Old smart]

Don't know all the answers, but these people might: Mercedes Smart Car electronic power steering rack failing .

This is what it looks like:

[mvaldes]

http://scp-parts.com/pdf/2008fortwotech.pdf

Here's the link to the technical manual, hope it helps

[BoddaBing]

Thanks for all the info so far, and great thanks for not flaming me. I was expecting it...then again I am a kinda paranoid kind of person.

[Suze]

Flamings are pretty rare around here. Welcome to the forum and good luck with your project.

[jwight]

Originally Posted by BoddaBing

Thanks for all the info so far, and great thanks for not flaming me. I was expecting it...then again I am a kinda paranoid kind of person.

Not sure where in Arkansas you are but there are smart centers in Dallas and New Orleans; give them a call and maybe their service techs or parts folks can help out.

[John_H]

For those unfamiliar, the face means sarcasm.





Since this is someone brand new to these boards, I'm not sure if the humor would be seen.