Steering rack replaced

[MissMoppet]

Just had my steering rack replaced, bought from M & P Steering of Gravesend. They seem to specialise in refurbishing power steering racks from all cars. £99 inc post + 12 months g'tee. I thought that was excellent value. Steering much heavier now - previously I could steer with one finger - now it takes both arms - but I was topping up the reservoir every 20 miles, so presumably it was just pumping out on the road. Anyway I got a Stag specialist to swap it for me - didn't fancy doing it myself, at a cost of £120 so all in all I am now a happy bunny.

[Firept]

That sounds a good price was it on an exchange basis or did they rebuild your own one?
Paul.

[MissMoppet]

Exchange. And they paid return carriage which as you can imagine is an awkward b ****** r to ship.

[Motorsport Micky]

Can't find them at Gravesend but there is a same named firm at Gillingham give us a clue ?

Micky

[len]

I live in Gravesend , and I don't know of them ! I am intrigued ! Len

[Westfaling]

According to the old interweb
Unit 22/Pier Approach Rd, Gillingham, ME7 1RZ
Nick

[MissMoppet]

I live in Gravesend , and I don't know of them ! I am intrigued ! Len

You're right. Gillingham. Well . . . close. Both in Kent.

[Arbman Al]

Was that done by mate Darren at Bawdrip Service Station?

[MissMoppet]

Was that done by mate Darren at Bawdrip Service Station?

Yes. Excellent chappie.

[Mimosa Stag]

Hi, I am in need of changing the rack on my Stag, I have found a refurbished one of Ebay for £99 inc postage on an exchange basis, does anyone have any idea if there is a video guide on how to change one?? I have been quoted approx £250 to have it done by a garage plus the cost of the rack at £140 approx, I am by no means even the basic of mechanics but would like to try especially as I cannot really afford to have it done by a garage, and also considering I have had my Stag for over 2 years and its still not on the road .
David

Just had my steering rack replaced, bought from M & P Steering of Gravesend. They seem to specialise in refurbishing power steering racks from all cars. £99 inc post + 12 months g'tee. I thought that was excellent value. Steering much heavier now - previously I could steer with one finger - now it takes both arms - but I was topping up the reservoir every 20 miles, so presumably it was just pumping out on the road. Anyway I got a Stag specialist to swap it for me - didn't fancy doing it myself, at a cost of £120 so all in all I am now a happy bunny.

[jleyton]

Hi David,

It's not too bad a job and £250 does sound on the high side.

This is what the ROM says:

rack.png

























and, for once, it's not wrong.

I reckon, if you're willing to try it and with some help from here, you could do it . You just need to get the front end quite high to give yourself some good working room.

Cheers

Julian

ps I'd be a bit sceptical about one on Ebay - better to get one from one of the known sellers. I'd use LDparts

pps The book time for rack 1.80 so £250 definitely sounds high

[Mimosa Stag]

Thanks Julian for your advise, I desperatly want to get my car on the road as its in such nice condition, one problem though could be getting enough height to do the job, I don't have any ramps as yet, any reccomendations on good ramps and where I Could them, naturally not to expensive though. I also want to fit seatbelts into the back so I can take my now 10 month old son out in it, am I right in thinking this seems a relatively easy thing to do.

David

[staginhiding]

Hi David

Where abouts in Herts are you.
I have a friend near Hemel that would probably fit your rack for you at his workshops..
If you are interested i will ask him..

Sam

[Mimosa Stag]

Hi Sam,

I am near Ware, the issue I have is that my Stag currently does not have an MOT and als othe clutch needs bleeding, not a major issue I know, there is a Triumph specialist not far from me who can take the car on a trailor for £50 but they are also the garage who would charge around £250 to fit the Steering rack, what would he charge?

David

[jleyton]

Hi David,

I think a lot depends upon how much work you're likely to do yourself in the future. If you're not likely to do much then it may be best to save your money and consider going with Sam's suggestion. It may well be that Sam's mate could do any other things you need to get your car on the road.

If you do want to do it yourself, then I think (although others may offer different suggestions) that your best bet would be a trolley jack and a pair of axle stands. That way you can remove the wheels (which you couldn't do with wheel ramps) which will make replacing the rack easier. Jack under the centre of the front crossmember and fit the axle stands under the forward pointing extensions to which the rack fits.

However, be very, very careful doing this and, if you are in any doubt, then get some expert advice or maybe there's someone on here who is local and could help /

You will probably also need a ball joint splitter, although you may get lucky with just a pair of hammers.

This little lot looks like pretty good value and I've been pleased with the Halfords equipment that I've bought
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_255207 (ps just noticed that some of the reviews say the jack doesn't lift very high which might be a bit of a problem)

As for your rear seat belts, if you lift the base of the rear seat (it just pulls upwards) you will probably see two holes, with captive nuts underneath them, close to the centre line of the car and two others on the wheelarches. These were for the fitment of simple two point lap belts. Quite how you would fit a child seat to these I am afraid I don't know (waiting for the grand children to arrive before I find out how ). Maybe someone else could give some advice on this ?

Good luck

Julian