Mk1 recon steering rack refit

[docka]

Intention is to slide the pinion end gaiter back and fill with 1/3 pint of EP90 and refit along with the foam dust cover and two plastic shims. Is that the general consensus?

Qs-

How do I centralise the rack?

I see others have added an earth wire to the rack to aid in continuity for the indicators, where does the other end go?

Anything else to do whilst it’s out?

Thanks

[Peter Laidler]

Q: Is your rack a Mk1 or a Mk2.

Mk1, rotate fully to left, mark steering wheel position relative to something on the dash. Turn fully to right and count the full and part turns. Divide by 2 and return by THAT amount. That is the central position of the RACK
Mk2, use 1/4" location peg in the hole exactly as described in the workshop manual.

Earth wire from rack casing to sub frame which is earthed to the body in any case

Anything else to do? YES, if it's a Mk2 rack and it's out, modify the rack as recently described so that it can be filled/topped while it's in the car.

Good to hear from you again Docka

[docka]

Hey Peter, cheers. Life got in the way…

It’s a Mk1 hence the title

Thanks for the explanations.

Saw your mod for the Mk2, looks good.

[docka]

Intention is to slide the pinion end gaiter back and fill with 1/3 pint of EP90 and refit along with the foam dust cover and two plastic shims. Is that the general consensus?

Qs-

How do I centralise the rack?

I see others have added an earth wire to the rack to aid in continuity for the indicators, where does the other end go?

Anything else to do whilst it’s out?

Thanks

[docka]

Update - with the refurbed Mk1 rack not yet fitted, I was worried as it sounded a little rough when turning the splined pinion by hand, then realised it had been delivered dry.

So, I ended up replacing both gaiters with my old ones as the ones supplied were already slightly split and proceeded to fill with EP90 oil as recommended, turning back and forth to allow the air to escape.
Still sounding a little graunchy but was determined to get it on the car.

After getting everything back on along with the new track rod ends, it still didn’t feel right with the column and wheel back on.
There was a lot of movement in the steering wheel before the rack would operate.

So I removed the column and discovered there’s a lot of play in the pinion shaft so the whole thing is going to have to come out again.

[Peter Laidler]

You can solve the end-play problem a bit, by correctly spacing the pinion in relation to the actual rack part. Make sure that the friction yoke is keeping the rack in position relative to the pinion.

A lot of people's idea of a rack refurb is taking the gaiters off, flushing the whole thing through with petrol or paraffin and re-painting. A new set of cheapo gaiters and hey presto.

[docka]

Kinda wish I’d just bought a new one to be honest Peter.

Might have to at this rate unless the seller offers me a replacement, though at this stage I think I’d prefer a refund.

Does anyone know if the Quick Rack from MS will be ok with standard length track rod ends into the Mk1 steering arms?

[docka]

Minispares says the quick rack does require fitment of the Mk2 arms , basically another £50…

[GraemeC]

I'm sure I have some later steering arms somewhere if you're in need

[docka]

Cheers GraemeC, might take you up on that, this is turning into a bit of an issue, ah, what a return to minis

[Peter Laidler]

While on the subject of Mk1 v Mk2 steering arms, someone did an angular comparison photo a couple of years ago.

While steering racks and columns are in the news, might a good computer savvy forumer re-post it.

[woodypup59]

These Peter ?

[Peter Laidler]

Them's the ones and thanks to Woody and Spider Chris

Ironically, I saw a bloke with a two sided small wooden board at Beaulieu/MCR day a couple of years ago.
One side it had wooden pegs to match a Mk1 set (left and right hand) of steering arms
while the pegs on the other side of the board matched the Mk2 steering arm configuration.

Guess just what I'm going to do this afternoon....... Thanks again Woody

[Spider]

Peter, I'd suggest not working from an 'ears' the arms may or may not have;-



Measure them.

[docka]

I'm sure I have some later steering arms somewhere if you're in need

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