Longchamp Steering rack

Unless things have changed, the Series I rack, which is self-centering, is nearly impossible to rebuild or a rebuilder that knows what they are getting into, will not touch it. The case can't be opened and has to be cut open. I have heard of owners swapping out the unit for something else that will work. Please post here and tell us if you figure out a solution.

Finlandese,
Afraid I know nothing about the rack on a Longchamp but if I were you my first choice of someone knowledgeable in Europe would be Roland Jaeckel in Germany. Roland supplies many factory DeTomaso parts for all their different models & may well be able to answer all of your questions. Try e-mailing him at "Jaeckel-Partner-GMBH at t-online.de" & good luck.

Finlandese,

I have an early series 3 Longchamp.

Not sure I can be much help but both CAM Gears and ZF made racks for the Longchamp.

ZF here in the UK told me that the Longchamp rack is unique to the car. No true. Maserati fitted this rack to the Quattroporte 111.

My car has a ZF P.S. rack and I'm looking to convert my car to right hand drive and am having problems tracking down a replacement.

I am considering looking at the possibilities of using a BMW rack but have yet to take measurements.

Good luck.

Phil
79 Longchamp GTs 3061

Thank you for your replies.

I contacted Roland, and he has a connection for a rebuild, but it takes the car off the road for six months at least.
While doing research, I have run in to a problem I can´t yet explain. All my sources tell me that the early rack is made by Cam Gears U.K. and it was used in the Jaguar 420. When I read up on a Jaguar 420, they say that it used a Marles Varamatic power steering rack. I´m confused. Jaguar guys keep upgrading their 420´s, Mark II´s and S-types, with an upgrade kit that converts their cars to (I think) XJ-s rack and pinion set up. If the early Longchamp rack is the same to any Jaguar one, I´m pretty sure that the Jaguar rack conversion kits will work on a Longchamp too.

Finlandese,

Now, I may be able to help you with this one as my Longchamp is currently with a local Jag dealer who build repair, build and race XJS's.

I will ask them this week and see what they have to say.

I am looking to convert my car to RHD and have pretty much given up finding a RHD PS rack.
I've in contact with http://www.titan.uk.net/index.php
who tell me one of their EPAS systems could be custom machined to fit. I'm waiting with baited breath for a price.
I have driven most Jags up to 1998 and their steering feels AWOL to me. I hate them.

Phil
79 Longchamp GTS 3061

Hi Phil,

Since you have a 3000-series car, your solution might not work on a 2000-series. I´m sure though, that those guys at Titan can make anything. It´s just a question if it´ll cost everything..

I´ve never liked Jag steering feel either, but I suppose it´s just a matter of reducing the amount of assistance, which shouldn´t be too difficult.

I just found out from an old car magazine a clue about the rack. It might be the same as in an early Jensen Interceptor, and FF.

Ok,

All the Jaguar sources that I´ve gone thru say that the Jaguar 420 has a recirculating ball steering system . All sources that I´ve read say that Longchamp has rack and pinion. I´m confused...

Finlandese,
A Jaguar 420 has a steering box, a Jaguar XJS has a steering rack.

Which begs the question: What other cars use the rack? It just seems so unlikely that this was a Deauville/Longchamp specific solution.

-Jani

It wouldn't be the first time a rack was specially made for a car.

I think the Cam Gears rack for the Sunbeam Tiger was unique.

It would seem logical that some of the internal parts of the rack would be used elsewhere.

There many be many racks that are almost the same and the only difference is the length.

Rapier,

No, it wouldn´t be the first time, but De Tomaso was pretty good at utilizing volume makers parts. But in any case, if Roland knows it is a De Tomaso specifc part, I guess that´s the end of the story.

-Jani

Roland,

You have probably forgotten more about De Tomasos, than I will ever know. I have a very high respect for your knowledge and for your dedication to the De Tomaso cars.

So Roland,

What's the difference between the early and late Longchamp racks other than possible location on the car as I'm aware the engine got moved back on the series 3 cars and this may of made DT shift the location of the rack also?

Cam Gears or ZF?

NOS or used or rebuilt?

Guide price?

Phil
79 Longchamp GTS 3061

Further to the above....

I'm also looking at upgrading my rack during the LHD to RHD conversion to European style with built-in flash stalk on the steering column.

I just hate having to operate the headlamp switch on the dash when wanting to flash the headlights.

How dumb, even back in 79.

Phil
79 Longchamp GTS 3061