Steering rack differences

[roymck]

Hi Guys , ANY STEERING RACK EXPERTS AROUND ok get your thinking heads on about this if you can follow my ramblings .

If you use a Mk1 steering rack you should use Mk 1 steering arms .
If you use a Mk2 steering rack you should use Mk2 steering arms identifiable by the nobly bits where the track rod end bolts through.
Is a Mk2 just increased turning lock because there is more turns lock to lock and that’s why the arms are different .
Does a Mk3 and Mk4 Mini use Mk2 arms ?
How do you know if you have had a MK 2 or later rack fitted to your Mk1 ?
If a Mini is on 13 inch rims is the rack fitted with restrictors to reduce lock ?
How many turns lock to lock should a Mk1 have and on a Mk2 and is a rack fitted with restrictors even less turns lock to lock .

The reason I am asking this is the rack on my 63 has on the passenger side a smaller neck to take the boot . Looks like part number GSV1004 is the correct kit to fit new steering gaiters so I rung Somerford Mini to get a kit and they said that it could be a MPI or a Sport rack fitted , it would not be a 63 rack ! So if I can identify the rack and it’s not a Mk1 should I fit Mk2 arms ?

What the hell have I got fitted on my car ?

[woodypup59]

Correct me if I'm wrong people ...............

Mk1 rack 2.3 turns lock to lock.

Mk2 on rack 2.7 turns L-L.

[Spider]

I feel the most reliable way to pick the difference between the MKI and MKII (on) racks is to count the teeth on the Rack. You can do this by prying off the Gaiter on the Pinion end of the rack.

MKI - 15 teeth
MKII (and on) - 25 teeth

The lengths of the Inner Rack between these is also different, putting the swivel ball ends of the Rods in different locations between the two of them and this in part, is why we have MKI Steering arms and MKII (and on) types.

The MKIII and MKIV and on, all use MKII type Arms. It's not a good idea to mix and match Arms between the types. Fitting MKII Arms with a MKI Rack will only leave a few threads of engagement in to the Rod Ends and has a very funny bump-steer. Fitting a MKII Rack with MKI Arms you'll end up with another odd bump steer and on high steering angles, a scrub between the two front tyres.

The 'ears' in the arms are not a reliable indicator of the type of arm and will give a bum steer for sure. An easy way to identify them is to find both types and compare. If you can't find a pair of arms, you can measure them;-

[IAIN]

I did hint in your other post if the rack is the same as the one I had it is not a standard mk1 2 3 or sports pack rack !

The sport pack rack looks similar to any other apart from a slight difference in the wheel box shape and it has restricted turning circle. And the later racks have thicker control arms.

[roymck]

Hi Iain , yes you probably on the right track and it’s not a gen BMC rack, seems to be about 2.5 turns lock to lock . I’ve still got MK1 arms on mine . A job for the future I think strip it out and fit something that’s defo MK1 .