IM in the process of cleaning and painting my steering rack that i am putting onto my MK4 XR3i. but it feels very rough when i turn the steering wheel spline, so i think it may be a little worn, I have another rack, that feels smoother but i need to confirm its the later variable ratio rack fiited to MK4's late 88 onwards.
So if anyone can tell me the markings on their 89 onwards XR3i steering rack it would be great, the number i need is this one, i need all the numbers as in the pic

 

Well thats an 84 cast mark so no!

Whats the deal with these variable ratio racks as ive read about them, can't see how they can be "variable" ratio though

 

from what i have been told the spacing in between the teeth on the rack vary, so it makes it easier to steer at various speeds. As for the part numbers, ita a minefield, as the very same rack as a made stamp saying some month in 1989

 

But in order to make it variable ratio.....the teeth would have to "adjust", if you get me, so more smaller teeth to make it easy at low speed etc.

I really am intreagued as to how it works or if its even real

What part number id your other one, they dont usually have a month on them, just the year of the cast?

 

im not clear myself mate, but i have three racks here, my original early 88 rack and two alleged 90 spec racks. they all have that 84 number but also they have a cast mark like this

and apparently the early ones have a lock to lock of 3.5 turns, where a later september 88 onwards rack has 4.25 turns. so i may well have 2 90 specs and my original pre 88 spec, i just need to see someone elses original rack number on a post 88 car

 

I cant work out what part of the rack that is.

generally the later parts have newer part numbers, unless it retains a standard outer casing with modified internals?

 

That pic above the the back edge of the input shaft where it locates inside the rack casing.

Recon ones use original casings and could be MK3 or MK4.

As I say, best way to check is to turn the shaft, if you get the 2 tights spots, then it is a vario. rack.

 

Safeshav:
All explained here

edit:
did a little more research on the subject and it seem the variable ratio rack is slower on the centre and I'm not sure if that's what we are after.

 

Correct. That is so that it is more stable @ speed, but lets you manouvre into tight parking spaces.

 

Jesse once again you have produced the goods

Ultimately though as you say these variable ratio racks mean more turns lock to lock.