mk1-forum.net

Hi, this is my first post, i'm a life long mini driver and just got myself a gorgeous 1965 Maroon 850 thats an absolute delight to drive. Not had a mk1 or an 850 before. When i get some decent photos i'll post an intro to show off my car.

Anyway, i left it parked in the sun on Sunday and after a few hours went to drive off and the steering was really tight. I'm guessing something has expanded, either the steering column or less likely the rack?

Has anyone heard of this before? Does something need lubricating?

Mk1 racks are lubed with oil, which escapes when the gaiters split. It could be pretty dry inside there if it's the original rack. Re-filling will involve getting enough angle on the car so the oil runs in. Fill from the drivers side. You will have to check the grade and amount, but they don't take much.

It'll most likely be the top bush in the column.

It was fine on Saturday's outing even if it did give me a fright when the ignition momentarily decided to play dead, a warm sunny day but i did park in the shade.

What material is the top bush, i'm guessing its not plastic as on the later cars? It does feel more like something on the steering column. (I must get me an copy of the trusty manual, mine is the 68 on copy)

Does it need replacing or just a bit of oil?

I think those early cars did have a plastic top bush, or it may have been felt. The lower one would have been felt.

I've come across the problem a few times but it's usually because the bush has been replaced at some point and in a couple of cases, someone made a nice nylon bush.

The plastic bushes only make 3 points of contact with the shaft and have space behind these points so it can move a little, with not allowing the shaft to rattle, clever design. The problems I've found with these has been that the top of the tube was distorted probably when the bush got changed. With the nylon ones, they made full contact right the way around, so it didn't take much before they'd grip the shaft!

Also be worth checking, in your case, that the shaft and rack are aligned correctly. Loosen off the U bolt nuts in the floor that hold the rack in place, then starting from those closest to the driver's side, tighten the nuts evenly, don't tighten one nut, then do the next. That causes the rack to roll and you're back to square one.

A dap of light grease isn't a bad thing, but rather than stop the bushes gripping, it may make them last longer.