Changing the steering rack...

[peter f]

imported post

Hi Ali,
Martin's spot on as usual. I fitted a rack, and ended up taking it off again as the self-cancelling indicators were all to cock, and drove me crqzy everytime I went out in the car. I also fitted about three racks in three years, two of which were so-called reconditioned. I trailed 80 miles for one of them, which was beautifully painted, but leaked like a sieve.
I ended up rebuilding my original one, but found it fairly complicated to do, but got there in the end.
For what it's worth, I would use EJ Ward as Martin recommends, as there is definitely a lot of duff ones out there. E bay is a non-starter for these I would say.
cheers,
Peter

[alistair260661]

imported post

I've acquired another rack, but the track rods had been cut ibn half so I've had to remove them from the rack (intending to replace them with the ones of the rack currently on the car - I'm sure that should be fine.

However, I haven't tested the "new" rack - though I do have a set of pipes and a pump which I could use. Any bright ideas about how I can set it up on the workbench and power the pump so that I can test the seals on the "new" rack?

I'd hate to put it on and subsequently discover that it too leaks...................

[Guest]

imported post

Hi, the only way you'll get it to work is on the car, take off the old one, remove the intermediate shaft, loosly bolt it in position, connect up the pipes and fire it up - unless you've got an electric motor that runs slowly enough ? Martin.

[stagwingnut]

imported post

hi richard ,is there an accurate way of centralising the rack before installation or is it guesswork ,cheers Graham

[pennine]

imported post

Mine has just started to leak as well and I have decided to recon it myself. I agree that some are not done to a great standard, that's why I bought a set of seals for about £20. I also have some power steering stop leak in my garage that I'm going to try first, nothing to lose as they say

[NickA]

imported post

stagwingnut wrote:

hi richard ,is there an accurate way of centralising the rack before installation or is it guesswork ,cheers Graham

From the ROM


ROMwrote:

Rotate pinion until rack is centralized, i.e. the dimple on the rack shaft is visible through the thrust plunger aperture

[PaulW]

imported post

Just Tried to rebuild mine came to conclusion not worth it bought seal kit but rack is almost impossible to get apart. Made special spanner to get end seal block off this just started to bend and chew locating lugs on rack.

Its a lot of work suggest buy a recon at least if that one leaks you can have a moan at somone else and not feel you have wasted your time like I did!

PaulW

[Guest]

imported post

NickA wrote:

stagwingnut wrote:

hi richard ,is there an accurate way of centralising the rack before installation or is it guesswork ,cheers Graham

From the ROM


ROMwrote:

Rotate pinion until rack is centralized, i.e. the dimple on the rack shaft is visible through the thrust plunger aperture

Hi, replacing the pinion adjuster has to be done with GREAT care, and much trial and error, to avoid overtightening and a ruined rack, careful measuring of the track rod position is probably a better option. Martin.

[NickA]

imported post

Martin Stevenson wrote:

NickA wrote:

stagwingnut wrote:

hi richard ,is there an accurate way of centralising the rack before installation or is it guesswork ,cheers Graham

From the ROM


ROMwrote:

Rotate pinion until rack is centralized, i.e. the dimple on the rack shaft is visible through the thrust plunger aperture

Hi, replacing the pinion adjuster has to be done with GREAT care, and much trial and error, to avoid overtightening and a ruined rack, careful measuring of the track rod position is probably a better option. Martin.

That's what dial guages where invented for.......