MOT Failed - doh!

[Ian F]

Doh - Stagatha failed her MOT this morning AND she had to go out in the pouring rain and got very, very wet!

I don't suppose its too bad really, the main issue is a leaking rack, apparently its pouring out of the drivers side and its not the pipework so it looks like a main seal has gone. Although she doesn't lose lots and lots of fluid?

Then there's a sticking seat belt, apparently it would not lock for the MOT, when most of the time I have trouble getting it to "free" to allow me to put it on!

And finally one of my new re-inforced brake flexis at the back must have twisted so it needs loosening and re-setting.

Question and help required? How difficult is a rack replacement and where is best to get a Recon. one - I don't fancy stripping the rack myself.

Anyone replaced their own rack?

Ian F

[loudnproud]

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Hi Ian did mine a couple off years ago not to difficult if I remember had to be careful lining up steering shaft with rack otherwise steering wheel could end up well out of line also you will need to have tracking checked afterwards, usually dirty horrible and greasy job so have fun.

Peter

[stustag]

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Hi Ian

Sad news after all the work you have done recently! It seems no matter how much you spend there is always more to do!:X

If you want me to come over and replace the rack let me know and I'll be there.

Stuart

[Ian F]

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Stu

I'd have thought you have enough on with your own - how are you progressing with the welding etc?

Thanks for the offer but I'll give it a go, I've done racks before but I've got a feeling that the Stag is a very tight fit and I may need to lift the engine to get clearance to get it out?

Someone on here must know?

Ian

[Ian F]

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Peter

Talking to a fellow Worcs. member he had to lift the engine (undo mountings and lift it about an inch or so?) to get the rack out - did you?

Having said that his is a LH Drive jobby with aircon etc imported from the States so that may be the reason.

Ian

[sjm]

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Hi Ian F,

Just put a new / recon rack on, after disconnecting the pipe work undone the steering shaft bolt, released the track rod ends, undone the four bolts to the rack, then pulled the rack away from the steering shaft, that was bit of a swine but released ok, just released the bracket supporting the rackon the offside for more room and out it came.

Hope this was of some help

Regards

Steve

[Ian F]

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Cheers Steve - look like getting my overalls on!!!!

Ian

[loudnproud]

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Hi Ian as Steve said pretty straightforward don't need to raise engine or any major work just a bit fiddley good luck .

Petetr

[V Mad]

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You may already be aware of the potential problems with reconditioned steering racks. If yours has been good, and works well, but just needs seals etc, get it reconditioned, and not exchanged.

[Ian F]

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VMad/All

Well its off, no major issues although interestingly the rack was way off centre, one TRE took 27 turns to come off, the other 16. I always suspected this, as left lock was very tight and right lock was like a bus. Suspect this could have even been deliberate if there was wear in the centre?

In terms of the quality of "my" rack, it was supposedly replaced before I bought the car, so its lasted 12 mths and I suspect it was a replacement and not new or recon.? - I wouldn't want to re-seal it or wait whilst its re-done.

I've spoken to Paddocks and asked the question about quality(They're closest to me and open Saturday so hopefully back to the MOT Centre Tues?) - he says his latest supplier he's used for 5 years with little or no problems? Unless anyone on here knows different!

Thanks for all the help - if it goes back as easy (I know it won't!) I'll be pleased.

Ian

[loudnproud]

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Sorry Ian forgot to add that I purchased my steering rack from Stuart at SOC never had any problems with quality from there. A seal kit is fairly cheap but could be a false economy if its not fitted properly, only need a nick on one of the seal lips to cause problems and leaks again.
Peter

[whereufromnosecity]

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Ian F wrote:

VMad/All

Well its off, no major issues although interestingly the rack was way off centre, one TRE took 27 turns to come off, the other 16. I always suspected this, as left lock was very tight and right lock was like a bus. Suspect this could have even been deliberate if there was wear in the centre?

In terms of the quality of "my" rack, it was supposedly replaced before I bought the car, so its lasted 12 mths and I suspect it was a replacement and not new or recon.? - I wouldn't want to re-seal it or wait whilst its re-done.

I've spoken to Paddocks and asked the question about quality (They're closest to me and open Saturday so hopefully back to the MOT Centre Tues?) - he says his latest supplier he's used for 5 years with little or no problems? Unless anyone on here knows different!

Thanks for all the help - if it goes back as easy (I know it won't!) I'll be pleased.

Ian

Ian

I got my recon rack from TD fitchetts in Telford, and had no problems with it so far, i asked the same question about quality and they haven't had one returned for a long time, plus I've never had any issues with any of their parts I've bought beforefor the stagor my old sptifire.

Stu E

[Guest]

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Ian F wrote:

Cheers Steve - look like getting my overalls on!!!!

Ian

Hiya Ian, when you come toreplace it, you may find that the groove the lower pinch bolt registers in , is in a different place on the circumference, you need to remove the upper pinch boltand disconnect the lower steering shaft, lock the steering wheel in the straight ahead position, the steering lock should do this for you, then assemble the shaftonto the centred rack, the upper bolt sits in an annulus, so whatever orientation it takes up, the pinch bolt will go back, makes it slightly awkward manhandling the rack and lower column but it's the only way to keep the rack and steering wheelcentred. If the wheel is crooked when you've finished it's easy enough to remove and turn, also you'll keep the self cancelling arm in the right place, sounds worse than it is, it takes almost as long to write as it does to do. Cheers, Martin.

[Big J]

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Ian F wrote:

Question and help required? How difficult is a rack replacement and where is best to get a Recon. one - I don't fancy stripping the rack myself.

Anyone replaced their own rack?

Ian F

Ian - I understand that Jordan has had her rack replaced but I'm not sure that she did it herself. I think that she employed (several) specialists. Hope this helps.

Ju

[V8 Rumbler]

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Big J wrote:

Ian F wrote:

Question and help required? How difficult is a rack replacement and where is best to get a Recon. one - I don't fancy stripping the rack myself.

Anyone replaced their own rack?

Ian F

Ian - I understand that Jordan has had her rack replaced but I'm not sure that she did it herself. I think that she employed (several) specialists. Hope this helps.

Ju

I probably wouldn't have had the skills to replace Jordon's rack:?

But I would be more than willing (if I have time) to strip it for her and take good look:shock:

Darren