Lewegee

Rack went in smoothly on my 06 OBXT limited; steering heavier at low speeds (wife displeased) and very tight/true at high speed. No dead zone on center, very quick responses to inputs. No VDC on ‘06 so not an issue though others report problems. Mechanic (The Shop in Norwalk, CT) said went in easy, ~3/4” thread left available on tie rods (more than expected, possibly due to 1.5” drop on coilovers?)

All in all very pleased since old rack was weeping like crazy and this was same price as oroginal OEM.

Rack went in smoothly on my 06 OBXT limited; steering heavier at low speeds (wife displeased) and very tight/true at high speed. No dead zone on center, very quick responses to inputs. No VDC on ‘06 so not an issue though others report problems. Mechanic (The Shop in Norwalk, CT) said went in easy, ~3/4” thread left available on tie rods (more than expected, possibly due to 1.5” drop on coilovers?)

All in all very pleased since old rack was weeping like crazy and this was same price as oroginal OEM.

The Perrin damper lockdown is not a U-joint. It is a modification to a U-joint from an Outback, Legacy, or WRX. The Perrin part does not change the form factor / length of the U-joint. It's only to increase the rotational stiffness.

 

If you are swapping this rack into an otherwise-unmodified Outback, I'm pretty sure you need to use the Outback U-joint, as that's the only one that's long enough. I believe Legacy, WRX, and STI U-joints are all the same length, which is shorter than the Outback's.

Thanks - that solves the issue. Talking to my mechanic about this rack swap for existing leaky OEM rack while the engine is out getting rebuilt...seems like the right thing to do, and given its a non-VDC car I don't expect any issues...

Quick follow-up on this statement: "PLEASE NOTE: The OBXT uses subframe spacers requiring a longer u-joint. OBXT owners can use the Perrin Steering Lockdown Kit (PSP-SUS-565), cut and weld in a length of steel rod, or remove the body lift (a project in itself)."

Will the existing OBXT oem u-joint mate up with this, or MUST I swap in the modified Perrin version to make this work? Thanks...