Power steering rack help.

[atc40]

Have decided to overhaul the steering rack myself and wondered if I could get advice on a couple of things. I overhauled the rack about 5 years ago and for the life of me cannot remember how I did it.
1. Where can I get a 1 5/16” (approx. 33mm) thin, about 1/8” thick, open ended spanner to release the inner lock nut on the tie-rod to rack connection? I have looked in all the usual places ie. EBay with no luck.
2. Once I get the correct size spanner what is the best way to reduce the strain on the rack shaft/control valve assembly?
Any advice gratefully received.
TIA.
Andy.

[sujitroy]

eBay has thin spanner sets. I bought a metric set and opened up a 30 mm to 33 ish. I did not to mess with my thin imperial set. I recall i only one thin spanner for the OD solenoid.

[sujitroy]

I used an angle grinder to open the gap

[alan_thomas]

Local bike shop should be able to sell you a Headset Spanner. These come in standard sizes and only cost a couple of pounds, one of the most common is 32mm which can easily filed out to 33mm
They are stamped out of plate about 4mm thick.
google ‘bike headset spanner’

Alan

[atc40]

Thank you both for your replies. Have now ordered a headset spanner.
Regarding removing any strain from the rack/control valve, have given it further thought and I will grip the flat toothed section of the rack shaft between two pieces of wood in the vice to undo the lock nuts. Will update thread if successful.

[sujitroy]

take the control valve out and wedge something in its place. something soft that is to avoid damage

[mole42]

Thank you both for your replies. Have now ordered a headset spanner.
Regarding removing any strain from the rack/control valve, have given it further thought and I will grip the flat toothed section of the rack shaft between two pieces of wood in the vice to undo the lock nuts. Will update thread if successful.

The ROM instructs you to do both ends at once to relieve strain on the pinion.