steering free play

[moggymankev]

My steering wheel has rather more free play than I would like without the engine /power steering working, I've checked everything and the play is definitely in the rack, you can hold the lower steering column joint and with no effort at all get radial movement on the small pinion going into the rack, I can't see any way of adjusting it there is no movement anywhere else ....does this mean a new rack? can anybody advise please.
Cheers Kev

[V Mad]

I assume you mean rotational play?

Most likely cause is in the joint between input and torsion shafts. These are locked together by a roll pin which can wear. Try a new roll pin (no I dont know who supplies them).

If it is radial play the bearing in the input shaft will need replacing.

[Alanmax]

Yes I agree with Chris, I found the same with my rack, (or rather the bit on top of the rack,) but I replaced mine with the same size drills cut down to lenghth, much stronger than a roll pin. You can get a small set of roll pins from motor factors.

[1959terry]

Can you remember what size it is ?

[moggymankev]

Thanks Chris, yes I do mean rotational play, I have just replaced the roll pin with a very tight new item, I think I must have been an ambidextrous monkey in a previous life...what a job!!! probably compounded by the Rover conversion with its manifold right up close, sadly the play is still there inside the rack exactly the same, on non power assist cars there was often a shimmable option but not on this rack, it would help if the manual did an exploded diagram so at least then you could work out if it was repairable or not, so I guess it's going to be a recon unfortunately. thanks for your help
Cheers Kev

[Lingen]

Kev. Rotational play in the rack valve is intentional and part of the way in which it operates. Provided it is taken up once the pump is running, it can be ignored. The MOT tester's instruction manual in fact states that the engine must be running when checking for excessive play with these PAS systems. Some testers don't seem to remember this, so make sure you don't get a fail because of their mistake!
Mike.

[V Mad]

There is one more trick that you could play; but that involves pulling the rack. The rack/pinion gear wears in the centre postition, but turning the pinion round 180 deg puts the wear point well away from where it matters most. I would guess that rack reconditioners use that trick too.

[moggymankev]

Thanks Mike and Chris, I have checked the car with the steering up and running ,but the problem is still there, I find the 180deg trick intriguing, if I pull the rack is it a relatively simple job to remove the pinion gear, or do I have to upset the whole rack , I do not have any leaks or other problems from it , I dare say I would just need new seals for the pinion gear .
appreciate your help
Cheers Kev

[V Mad]

To do this you just need to remove the three bolts holding the pinion housing to the rack body, and probably the two hydraulic pipes as well.

[wilf]

Take a look at the inner track rod ends. My MOT man tipped me off about one of mine, cost me £20 to get it reworked, and took 75% of the play out of my rack. Easy enough to get at, too.

[StagnJag]

There is one more trick that you could play; but that involves pulling the rack. The rack/pinion gear wears in the centre position, but turning the pinion round 180 deg puts the wear point well away from where it matters most. I would guess that rack re conditioners use that trick too.

Wouldn't you get the same effect by turning the steering wheel 180 degrees and seeing what the play is like there? If better, then pull the rack. (Entirely assumed reply by the way, not something I have got personal experience with.)

Regards

Dave

[Mike Stevens]

To do this you just need to remove the three bolts holding the pinion housing to the rack body, and probably the two hydraulic pipes as well.

You'll probably need to slacken the thrust button too. That's the big plug/lock nut on the front that has the grease nipple hole.

Cheers,
Mike.

[stagling]

play in steering

Take a look at the inner track rod ends. My MOT man tipped me off about one of mine, cost me £20 to get it reworked, and took 75% of the play out of my rack. Easy enough to get at, too.

Hi pal ,rotational play in the steering can often be cured or at least reduced by adjusting the screw and lock nut above the pinion accessible
from the front of the car from underneath.the locknut is quite large.about one and a half A/F the adjuster is above this and a lot smaller maybe
9/16. making this adjustment will reduce rotational play in the steering .if you over do it the steering will be very tight.