Advice on steering rack gaiter leak

[staginhiding]

Is that an adjusting shim(for play) that you have found Julian..but maybe not as I thought they were steel..

[milothedog]

Any chance of a picture Julian,

The only nylon part in that part of the rack that I can think of is the cup for the tie rod (inner ball joint) there are nylon rings that retain the lip seals IIRC but the actual rack has metal bushes either end to support it and it's impossible for anything other than fluid to get past them.

It could be a PO attempt at a bodge

Ian.

[Mike Stevens]

There are nylon 'rings' each end of the rack to form the stops. (They are thicker on the Stag than on a 2000.) They are behind the inner balljoint lock nut. Or should be.

From memory, about 10-15mm thick?

Cheers,
Mike.

[milothedog]

There are nylon 'rings' each end of the rack to form the stops. (They are thicker on the Stag than on a 2000.) They are behind the inner balljoint lock nut. Or should be.

From memory, about 10-15mm thick?

Cheers,
Mike.

Thanks for the memory jog Mike, I remember now. They stop metal to metal contact on a full lock. Like you say though they shouldn't be able to come out unless it's split.

Ian.

[jleyton]

Thanks Sam and Ian for your interest.

I'm attaching a couple of pics/diagrams. The picture shows the nylon piece I am referring to although I have pulled it away from the track rod end to show it better. In it's original position it was sitting loosely.

I wonder if it could be the item I have arrowed in the diagram ? If so, I'm not sure what it's supposed to do, especially as it was sitting loosely Maybe it's supposed to be there to limit the rack travel and provide a 'soft' stop ?

Whatever it is, it doesn't sound like it's my source of leak

Any other help or advice will be gratefully received.

Cheers

Julian

DSCN2397.jpg

rack 2.jpg

[Mike Stevens]

Julian,

I'm pretty sure that's the rack 'stop'. As long as it stays on the rack shaft and isn't split, then it should be OK. The 'seal' is further inboard on the left of your picture.

Isn't the part you've arrowed the inner balljoint locknut?

Cheers,
Mike.

[jleyton]

There are nylon 'rings' each end of the rack to form the stops. (They are thicker on the Stag than on a 2000.) They are behind the inner balljoint lock nut. Or should be.

From memory, about 10-15mm thick?

Cheers,
Mike.

Ah ha ! Thanks Mike. You posted your helpful reply as I was writing my last post - where I guessed they might be stops. Great to know I'm not going barmy

And Ian, even though it was sitting loosely, it wouldn't have come out without a little pressure from me.

Cheers

Julian

[milothedog]

Julian,

Now that Mike jogged my memory and you have posted the picture I don't think that is an issue and is fitted like that.

Ian.

Annoyingly, when I did mine I didn't take pictures. Don't know why I have with most other things.

[jleyton]

Julian,

I'm pretty sure that's the rack 'stop'. As long as it stays on the rack shaft and isn't split, then it should be OK. The 'seal' is further inboard on the left of your picture.

Isn't the part you've arrowed the inner balljoint locknut?

Cheers,
Mike.

Thanks again Mike,

I think the locknut is the next, thin, bit along isn't it? Either way, it doesn't matter now, now that I know the nylon piece is nothing to do with my leak

Cheers

Julian