Rack and Pinion - Blue

[11Budlite]

My 2019 310 has a black painted Caterham rack and pinion. Does anyone know what the difference is on a blue painted Caterham rack like this one?

 

[Croc]

Black was always S3 chassis.  SV chassis steering rack were a different color.  Is this an SV rack?

[11Budlite]

1 hour ago, Croc said:

Black was always S3 chassis.  SV chassis steering rack were a different color.  Is this an SV rack?

 

I'm not sure. The total width is 39-7/8" without the outer tie rods, and the mount spacing is 7-3/4". I won't have access to my Caterham until tomorrow to compare.

[11Budlite]

The mount spacing on the black rack of my 310 S3 is the same 7-3/4". I'm leaving for a NH track day so didn't want to mess with the toe to compare the total width.

[IamScotticus]

One is black and one is blue 

 

Seriously,  @Croc my 96 S3 is blue.  I've been wondering the same thing myself. 

I have a black one I bought off someone.   I can do some turns to see if there is a difference.

[IamScotticus]

Here is my black rack.

I think it is longer than the blue rack. Just sayin'.

 

I affixed tape on the shaft at 90° for both right and left lock.

The other arrows are the stop angles for R&L plus 360°.  Like 1.75 turns L2L.

 

Due to my current circumstances,  it will take time to get to my blue rack to do the test.  I'm sure someone has a blue rack to help you.

Model #, not serial.  Serial is stamped elsewhere 

90° from both R&L full lock.  Not true middle.

Left turn:

 

Right turn:

 

So, for R&L turns, add 360° and divide by half.

Is this a quick rack? IDK.

 

Edited August 2, 2025 by IamScotticus

[CarlB]

When I got my car it had a blue rack quick rack. I got a new one and it wasn't painted.

[11Budlite]

Thanks guys, when I get a chance I'll do the lock to lock rotation check to compare.

[11Budlite]

I finally got around to this. My blue rack has this P/N stamped on the housing near the pinion: B9905029. I did a lock to lock measurement and it looks like it's just under 2 turns. I put a protracter on the photos and estimated it at 1.88 turns L2L. Total rack movement L2L looks to be right at 4.0". 

[IamScotticus]

B9905... is a serial #.  You don't have a Cat part # etched in the tube underside flat?

Edited August 8, 2025 by IamScotticus

[Croc]

5 hours ago, 11Budlite said:

 …it looks like it's just under 2 turns.

race rack.  

[11Budlite]

5 hours ago, IamScotticus said:

B9905... is a serial #.  You don't have a Cat part # etched in the tube underside flat?

 

I couldn't find anything else stamped or etched in the housing.

[11Budlite]

41 minutes ago, Croc said:

race rack.  

 

Thanks Croc

[wdb]

1 hour ago, Croc said:

race rack.  

 

Hmm. That explains why the steering in my car is so quick!