mk1-forum.net

Hi,

I have recently been stripping down my 65 SDL
There are lot of mk2 items fitted; so I am trying to find out how original this car is...

I know it has a mk2 steering column fitted, and I think these are the same spline as the mk1 column where it meets the rack.
Whilst I have got the car stripped down I want to check the condition of the steering rack. What is the best way to do this with the rack on the workbench?
Also, given the unknown history of this car, how can tell whether the rack is a mk1 or mk2 onwards?
Depending on which version, is there any maintenance I can perform whilst it is removed from the car?

As always, any advice or help appreciated,
Rich

The splining in the Rack Pinion / steering column was the same from start to finish - 9/16" dia x 36 splines and so will interchange without a problem.

One quick check on a rack on the bench is to set the rack where they were the most, in the straight ahead position, then turn the pinion ~1/4 turn either direction (you'll need something to turn it with, it should be stiff), on the change of direction, watch the main part if the rack itself for any turning of it, it will only happen on change of direction. Wind it on a bit and check again. They all have some movement here, but more than about 3 - 4 degrees and the Inner Rack is worn and the Yoke needs shimming. It's also a given the the LH Bush will also be worn (or squashed).

Spider wrote:The splining in the Rack Pinion / steering column was the same from start to finish - 9/16" dia x 36 splines and so will interchange without a problem.

One quick check on a rack on the bench is to set the rack where they were the most, in the straight ahead position, then turn the pinion ~1/4 turn either direction (you'll need something to turn it with, it should be stiff), on the change of direction, watch the main part if the rack itself for any turning of it, it will only happen on change of direction. Wind it on a bit and check again. They all have some movement here, but more than about 3 - 4 degrees and the Inner Rack is worn and the Yoke needs shimming. It's also a given the the LH Bush will also be worn (or squashed).

Thanks, I will have a look when I am down the garage tomorrow morning.
From your description am I basically looking for backlash in the mechanism? with 3 degrees the limit?

Do you know of a good guide for a rack stripdown and rebuild? Or I could just give it a go, they can't be that complicated...

In a round about way, yes, the rotation of the inner rack is from back-lash, but because of the way they are designed, it doesn't directly show up as back-lash, but you'll feel it when driving.

Overhauling the rack is easy, only issue for UK racks seems to be getting parts. Most peculiar. We can still get most internal parts for our Aust rack and they stopped making them in 1979.

Put the rack at extreme left and push pull the inner ball joint sideways to check for play.

Then ditto at extreme right.

Just a slight addition to Spider's earlier post: "It's also a given the the LH Bush will also be worn (or squashed)." True for RHD cars. LHD it will be the other way around. Think in terms of the problem being on the passenger side.