12 replies to this topic

[Zami]

Bought new steering rack from minispares (RHD quick tun).

Installed rack, inserted a pin in the centering hole. Noticed the cutout for the pinch bolt on the pinion splines was at the 11/12 o’clock position. Also realized that on my old rack the cutout is 360 degrees while this one is in one location. manual calls for the pinch bolt to be located at the 6 o’clock position this ensures that the canceling pin for the turn signal is also properly located.

Now with the new rack if I install the steering column with the pinch bolt engaging the pinion at the 11/12 o’clock position the turn signal canceling pin is out 180 degrees.

Hopefully it is something simple. Any idea as to what I might be doing wrong and/or how to fix this issue.

Thanks

[Spider]

Hey Zami,

 

Mmmmm,,,, bummer there mate.

 

Just check that the Rack is centred first before getting too worried.

 

If the Rack is centred, then sadly, it's been assembled incorrectly.

 

Post #9 in this thread shows how it should be fitted;-

 

http://www.theminifo...l-uk-type-mkii/

 

If it is wrong, then you can live with it, or, drill & tap the column on the other side to re-mount the canceller or - it's quite a fiddle, but the Pinion can be removed and replaced with the rack in the car, however if the rack has been filled with Oil then you'll loose some and how ever much is lost, needs to be replaced. Or of course, you can go to the trouble of removing the Rack and doing this on the bench or returning it.

[Zami]

Thanks Chris. Assembled incorrectly was one of my concerns. I would think being brand new that the likelihood of the pinion being installed incorrectly would be remote. I did check multiple times that the rack is centered. I haven’t buttoned up everything so I can remove the rack pretty easily. I have sent a note to MS so will see what they have to say.

[nicklouse]

IIRC there was a plastic bolt on that worked as a canceller instead of the factory pin.

The slot orientation did actually change from early to later. And this could have been built to the early spec as if I recall this was with the bolt upper.

Can’t see it as a big issue to mod the column.

[Rorf]

Would help to know what model or year vintage you have? If it is the normal splined steering wheel fitment then just remove steering wheel and re position it. Isn't the signal cancellation system on yours in the steering wheel boss - ie pins or spades.

[Spider]

IIRC there was a plastic bolt on that worked as a canceller instead of the factory pin.

The slot orientation did actually change from early to later. And this could have been built to the early spec as if I recall this was with the bolt upper.

Can’t see it as a big issue to mod the column.

 

I've spent a bit of time today looking in to the slot changing from the bottom to the top and - where this type of pinion has been fitted (like what Zami has), as best I can determine, they were the same from start to end of production. The slot is in a different orientation for LHD and RHD Racks (and this is shown in post #9 of the FAQ I linked up earlier).

 

I'm not familiar with a plastic bolt, though, the UK may have had one ?? I've only ever seen the Post as per the MKI and MKII Cars and then the cast Lugs on the back of the Steering Wheel on the later cars.

[Chris1275gt]

Hi
Recently changed the rack on my 75 mini had the same problem,which I didn't notice until I'd fitted the rack in the car, which fitting is a challenge in itself.
Drove the car down the road 100yards made sure the steering wheel was aligned drilled and tapped the column for the new cancelling pin position all good took 5 minutes.

[Zami]

thks Spider and Chris1275gt. i had a similar thought to drill/tap a new location for the canceling pin. i was somewhat lucky as the removal installation of the new rack was straight forward with help from the forum.

[Zami]

Just learned that the new steering racks are of the latest design which is to say they were not made or assembled incorrectly. So not sure which models this affects but certainly was an issue for my MK1. So while they maybe listed as interchangeable clearly some models will require slight changes.. Best to check the orientation of the slot before installation then as was recommended by spider moke, coopertune and others the easy way is to simple remove the pinion and re-index the slot to the orientation needed for your installation. Unfortunate that none of the retailers never approached or were unsuccessful in getting the rack manufacturer to change the drawing on the pinion to have the slot machined 360 degrees.

[Spider]

Just learned that the new steering racks are of the latest design which is to say they were not made or assembled incorrectly. So not sure which models this affects but certainly was an issue for my MK1. So while they maybe listed as interchangeable clearly some models will require slight changes.. Best to check the orientation of the slot before installation then as was recommended by spider moke, coopertune and others the easy way is to simple remove the pinion and re-index the slot to the orientation needed for your installation. Unfortunate that none of the retailers never approached or were unsuccessful in getting the rack manufacturer to change the drawing on the pinion to have the slot machined 360 degrees.

 

Thanks for the feedback on this and if that info is right, I've some further research to do to find a change point !

 

Just one other item you've mentioned here that grabbed my eye mate, you mention you have a MKI. The Rack geometry was changed from MKII onwards and I'm sure all new Racks are made to MKII Specs. It's no big deal fitting these to a MKI and will give a better turning circle, however, I would strongly suggest also changing the Steering Arms to MKII types. If you retain the MKI Arms, you'll find the car will have a weird feeling on bumps (bump steer) but the more serious issue is that upon doing your wheel alignment, you'll find the Track Rod Ends are only engaged on the rack by about 3 or maybe 4 threads. You can get longer Rod Ends, but that doesn't get around the issue of the Bump Steer.

[Zami]

Yes good point, luckily I switched over many years ago to the mk2 arms. So anyone buying a new rack will also need the mk2 arms if going on a Mk1 car.

[GraemeC]

The grove in the the splined shaft does NOT want to be machined right round - it is a safety feature and making it 360 is potentially very dangerous. The aftermarket racks like that are horrid things.

If the spline wears excessively (very common with badly fitted drop brackets) then with a single groove the column will still have some permanent alignment and connection with the steering rack. With a 360 groove there’d be no steering.

[Spider]

The grove in the the splined shaft does NOT want to be machined right round - it is a safety feature and making it 360 is potentially very dangerous. The aftermarket racks like that are horrid things.

If the spline wears excessively (very common with badly fitted drop brackets) then with a single groove the column will still have some permanent alignment and connection with the steering rack. With a 360 groove there’d be no steering.

 

Actually,,,,,,

 

Probably half the factory racks that I've come across came like that.

 

While only a drawing, it is clearly illustrated in this factory drawing

 

 

And one of each (and yes, they are cactus);-

 

 

But, Graeme, I do completely agree with your thinking. Anyone who wants to come away in their Moke on one of our safaris must have a rack fitted with the single notch as the pinch bolt coming loose on the corrugated roads is a common issue.