Hi guys, one for the brains trust.

I've got a '68 Deluxe, and was wondering, can we rebuild the existing Aussie steering rack with Swiftune rack/pinion/drumsticks?


"Made Exclusively for Swiftune this Competition Steering Rack has an increased ratio to enable 2.2 turns lock to lock. It fits in an early original steering rack body and accepts our heavy duty drumsticks"



Any help appreciated.

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Cheap, Fast, Reliable. Choose two.

I think the rack bar in the Aussie racks is larger, so it definitely wouldn't fit straight in. I assume the Swiftune stuff is designed for UK MK2+ steering geometry too, so the steering arms would have to be changed.

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*witty signature*

Sapphire Blue Deluxe spread across three parts cars, two sheds and a driveway...

In 1964 Australia changed to a Morris 1100 type steering rack, so I don't think those parts would be compatible.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=96490

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Unless you can find someone who can definitely say "I've done that" I would be very wary.

However, you could ask Swiftune what they mean by "......fits in an early original steering rack body...". All Mk Is??? Any particular year cut off???

Once they identify a particular UK Part #, you could check whether there are Oz supplied racks with the same part # . Otherwise you need someone with enough detailed knowledge to state that the Oz and UK racks use the exact/identical body

While there are other "quick racks" with reduced turns lock to lock IMHO the best option is the UK Mk II rack which takes about a metre out of the earlier UK (and all OZ) turning circle....

Cheers, Ian

Won't fit the later Oz made AEA6001 rack, they are 1/16" bigger diameter rack bar inside.
I have a few early racks, you can have one for nix if you want to play. But even these are completely different design on the rack bar ends to your pic.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

yeah he can just use your early housing Doc & fit the swiftune shaft & swivel-spuds

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

Give that mana beer.

Doc, i’ll Be in touch. Swiftune owe me a favour.

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Cheap, Fast, Reliable. Choose two.

My car has the early UK rack..

Are the UK MK1 racks and Aussie racks the same length? Do they use the same steering arms too?

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Early Oz minis used the mk1 UK rack and arms. It's the UK MK 2 on rack that had different shape arms and more rack teeth for a tighter turning circle.
Many people here using Oz arms and UK MK 2 on rack, doesn't seem to cause major problems.
Note all Oz arms are MK 1 type but there are thin, and later thick.
Edit
You can tell these mk2+ UK arms, they have 2 little ears at the end.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.