So my bro and I went out the other night to practice hairpin (handbrake) turns in the project rally civic... And basically we were getting it down pretty good, except we noticed that there is quite a bit of play in the steering.

I.e. to do get the weight to transfer properly, we have to jerk it the wrong way right before the turn, and then back the other way to make the turn... to get the rear end unsettled enough to come around when we're on the hand brake. Well this is pretty hard to do with the amount of play in the steering (I'd say a good 4 inches before the steering really starts).

So I'm trying to figure out ways that we can make the steering more sensitive and tighter.

I am going to take a look at the tie rods and make sure they are in good shape, and take a look at the bushings as the first step.

Secondly, I think getting a smaller steering wheel than stock will at least get us some better leverage (well actually worse leverage, but a better ratio).

I was also wondering if anyone out here has swapped steering racks? I understand there are at least two different manual racks out there, and I'm wondering if anyone knows which ones have the best gearing?

Does anyone have any ideas on improving steering response and sensitivity?

We're dealing with a 1988 Civic STD.

 

SRR tie rods.

Ask Ben @ A&J, Mike M @ IPS, or Frank Lin aka ghettoracer on the board.

I'm out of stock and probably won't be able to get any in for a while.