EMPI 11" rack and pinion. Junk or good enough for go carting.

[SDcarting]

I know this question about the infamous and dated spider carts BOMs has been asked probably 20 times. In the forum, people are pointing to the latest rage, the 11" rack and pinion, which is a duplicate of the EMPI 11" rack and pinion set. These are mainly for Volkswagen and buggy enthusiasts. However, the reviews on these parts often seem horrid. I then researched rack and pinions made in the United States by a company called Stiletto. These racks are considered higher quality but they run up to $500! I am not afraid to spend the money on something nicer, assuming it can save me from a crash. Have you guys tried the EMPI or Latest Rage racks and found them durable enough? I keep looking for budget racks, but with so many reviews mentioning failure, I don't want to risk it with my kid in the passenger seat without doing some due diligence.

 

[Denny]

I have no experience with them. Not a buggy guy!

 

[panchothedog]

EMPI has been around for decades in the dune and sand buggy world. I would think if it was designed for use on a Volkswagen front end, putting it on a kart would be a complete cake walk as far as strength and stress were concerned.

 

[G.W]

If you do go with it, let us know. I am in the market for a good steering rack for my kart (a mean off road full suspension kart(

 

[SDcarting]

I just purchased. I never really held one of these or analyzed these up close. Should be interesting. One of the reviews said he specifically used this model it for a granddaddy go kart so I took the plunge.

 

[Joe-405]

Been in vw and dune buggies forever. And I used to sell empi. The rack and pinions are definitely strong enough for karts.

 

[SDcarting]

So far I want to give an update. I have the empi rack mounted into the frame but I am not happy. The heims are clocked funny and the whole thing feels somewhat cheap. To be fair, I am not sure if this (cheap feeling) matters but it would be nice to be able to adjust the heim position or be able to mount my own joints they seem to be press-fit or heated and pressed into position. Like the person at the factory put one in turned it around and put the part in at the same angle not realizing they would be opposed in the final build. This is true of MANY of the off the shelf racks I am finding.

I think this hobby could use people who have some design and engineering skills to make custom parts, aside from the rack there is so much "fiddly" stuff to it this. I constantly feel I am filleting square edge pegs to better fit into round holes.

Back on topic, so far it is "working" but I still would like to change it out with something more customizable like the stiletto 11 rack which you can order the heim positioning.

 

[hardcorps]

What does it look like under the boots? I'm curious. I was thinking of using one of those racks.
Here's Redbeard's solution on a Yerf:

 

[SDcarting]

It looks exactly like that minus the bolts on the sides. I wasn't able to peel the boot off the end it seemed glued or too tight. I couldn't risk tearing it. That looks very innovative and an improvement over what it comes as. I wonder how he get the hiems off or if his model comes like that.

 

[thatkartbuilder]

If your willing to spend money, found a good looking built rack that's 11":
11" Rack & Pinion, Compatible with Dune Buggy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003LIV1W4?psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_ud_ct_P9DFMK6H1XTSN85FX75W

I just went with somthing cheaper, and better than the other Chinese garbage:
ZXTDR Steering Gear Shaft Rack Pinion for DIY ATV Go Kart Quad Drift Trike Buggy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP2CG3GG?psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_ud_ct_BFWW69EQ7RFMW7NW8Z2D

 

[SDcarting]

That top link rack is the empi I purchased, that exact link.

If I had 20 racks in front of me who knows if the all are the same. I am not even sure what to expect. If the heim joints were adjustable I probably would not have complained.