Steering rack conversions.

Does anybody know if its possible to take out the steering box on a Spider, and put in a steering rack.

I've heard of people using a Herald rack, but never actually seen one.

Anything is possible given enough time and engineering knowhow.

Well yes, as Sig Pesci says, anything is possible. But is it desirable? The Alfa steering set up is a little convoluted (6! track rod ends) but when well maintained is a a pretty communicative system.

What are you looking to gain from a rack and pinion system?

Dave Hood, AKA Batman, on the AROC forum has past experience of fitting racks to 105 series cars for racing. He tends to be a bit cagey about releasing details though, unless of course you actually want to commission him to do it at his workshop near Rugby... AKA The Bat cave

I find the steering has massive play, despite the box being rebuilt, i would like it to be as direct as possible and thought a rack would do this, i know the purists will scream but im not against classic style but with modern mechanicals.

I'm not so much of a purist myself but still think it will be a lot less hassle to sort out the existing system rather than jump in with a modification like this.

What else have you checked/replaced? When I overhauled the front suspension on my Spider I was quite shocked to find out how much play there was in the various bushes and bearings. First off you should check all the track rod ends and the steering idler. Then replace the lower wishbone mountings and change the upper bushings for poly. Also check/replace the top and bottom swivel joints. It wouldn't hurt to look at the anti-roll bar bushings as well.

Only when you have done that, and still think the front end response is lacking, should you contemplate fitting a rack and pinion set up. Even then I would first consider stiffer/lower springs, a fatter front anti-roll bar, better shocks and a look at the rear bushes as more of a priority.

Yup, new track rod ends and polly ARB bushes and the steering was vastly improved.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, i'm new to the classic end of Alfa ownership, so all the info i get is valuable. I was told that the bushes could be replaced and that would help take the jelly feel from the car.