12 replies to this topic

[adam_93rio]

my steering rack always seem to start to work itself loose, i have checked eveything and all seems ok and in good condition

but i checked again today and it seems to of moved...again and my steering wheel isnt straight now when the wheels are

i popped the grommet off the other side and this is what it looked like, surely that should be in the middle of the hole?

[Min E]

Are you sure that it's your rack that is moving and it's not the splines slipping at the bottom of the steering column where it attaches to the spigot. That would make the steering wheel change its alignment.

Have you got a steering column drop bracket fitted?

Are the 'U' bolts tight?

[adam_93rio]

the U bolts are tight and have been loosened and tightened a few times now to try and sort it

everytime i hit a bump or after a few corners the steering tends to sit in a different place.

ive been told that its more likely to be the steering column at the bottom as steering racks are very hard (no naughty thoughts)

i do have a drop bracket fitted, im also peeved that when i got it they didnt tell me i had to undo the rack before fitting, it has sinse all been loosened adjusted and tightened back up

[panelbeaterpeter]

I had this problem for a while, if I hit a bump in the road or turned violently, the steering wheel would finish up in a strange position, it would look like I was turning even though I was going straight. I thought it was the steering rack moving, but it seemed tight, also checked the steering column spline, all good there. I just fitted a new rack in the end, with new U bolts and nylon gasket thingies. Been fine since then.

[adam_93rio]

im a bit reluctant to buy a new rack as im told they are very strong and pretty much never break

[Boycie]

To be honest, a new steering rack is a good investment in my opinion, it really tightens the front end up and solved my mystery 'clonk' over bumps. I think the small nylon strips under the 'U' bolts are very important to the whole setup, not sure why but they seem to do the trick.

From what I can see in your picture, it would appear that the plastic bung in the rack (used to cover the centering hole) is sitting about right. Therefore the problem is probably down to the column/ pinion splines. Check that nut and bolt straight away, it's super-critical from a safety point of view, if this fails completely an accident is waiting to happen

[Min E]

the U bolts are tight and have been loosened and tightened a few times now to try and sort it

everytime i hit a bump or after a few corners the steering tends to sit in a different place.

ive been told that its more likely to be the steering column at the bottom as steering racks are very hard (no naughty thoughts)

i do have a drop bracket fitted, im also peeved that when i got it they didnt tell me i had to undo the rack before fitting, it has sinse all been loosened adjusted and tightened back up

If you've got the drop bracket fitted and you used the car before you re-aligned the rack then the damage is probably already done to the splines.
Those in the column are softer metal than those on the rack spigot and I'm sure it will be those teeth slipping and not the teeth in the rack.

The column is not a difficult job to do although I believe that for some models you can buy just the inner rod for (the part you need) whereas other models are only available as a complete unit.

If you are able to replace the centre I would advise that you also replace the top and bottom bushes as well.

The hardest part is undoing the security screws where the column is attached to the dash. I used a mini drill (like a Dremmel) with a small cutting disc to make a slot accross the head so that I could use a screwdriver.

[adam_93rio]

the U bolts are tight and have been loosened and tightened a few times now to try and sort it

everytime i hit a bump or after a few corners the steering tends to sit in a different place.

ive been told that its more likely to be the steering column at the bottom as steering racks are very hard (no naughty thoughts)

i do have a drop bracket fitted, im also peeved that when i got it they didnt tell me i had to undo the rack before fitting, it has sinse all been loosened adjusted and tightened back up

If you've got the drop bracket fitted and you used the car before you re-aligned the rack then the damage is probably already done to the splines.
Those in the column are softer metal than those on the rack spigot and I'm sure it will be those teeth slipping and not the teeth in the rack.

The column is not a difficult job to do although I believe that for some models you can buy just the inner rod for (the part you need) whereas other models are only available as a complete unit.

If you are able to replace the centre I would advise that you also replace the top and bottom bushes as well.

The hardest part is undoing the security screws where the column is attached to the dash. I used a mini drill (like a Dremmel) with a small cutting disc to make a slot accross the head so that I could use a screwdriver.

the sercurity screws have already been drilled out, i was really annoyed when i found out about fitting it afterwards. might have a word with them at the next show

i fear the damage is already done, and that its the spline at the bottom. do you know which years i can get the insert for? mines a 93. but wouldnt mind having to change the whole lot.
ill be removing the drop bracket fairly soon aswell, as the standard seats will be back in for london to brighton.

the guy who told me about steering columns being hardy owns a garage and has had/worked on a lot of minis. he has a marcos in full race spec and he said he runs without the rubber strips on the steering rack U bolts. hes never had any problems with it and done a fair few miles

[Min E]

We were told that our 89 mayfair was a 'unit only' but managed to get a centre from minispares, this one:

http://www.minispare...=...0INNER 85 ..

Give them a call.

Also, have you seen:
http://www.theminifo...x...=139701&hl=

[adam_93rio]

We were told that our 89 mayfair was a 'unit only' but managed to get a centre from minispares, this one:

http://www.minispare...y=...0INNER 85 ..

Give them a call.

Also, have you seen:
http://www.theminifo...x...=139701&hl=

thanks for this, so the first link should be right for my car. its a 93, which i think uses the same rack and has the pinch bolt at the bottom
the link is for just the inner, which should slide out once the pinch bolt is undone (and steering wheel)

thanks for the link to the other thread also, ive always wondered if there was a pinned thread about the drop brackets, you can imagine how peeved i was when i bought this from a show (mensioning no names) and it came with no fitting instructions
when i asked the guy he said yeh you just undo the column, pull it down and fit this in its place. so i was actually told the wrong information, not just supplied without the right info

im going to order an inner bit today, do i need anything else?

[jinjrich]

I've got this problem too. I cant for the life of me get the sterring column to remove from the rack though, i fear the splines have really mashed up down there! Any of you had this problem?

[jayare]

I've had this - rack kept going loose - tighten up the U-bolts and it would be fine for a while then it would go loose again - in the end I put new U-bolts in. There are also some friction pad things which look like a strip of plastic which you should also replace.

JR

[icklemini]

as im told they are very strong and pretty much never break

nope!

OK problems with the U bolts - the thread goes after a while, also have seen the nuts bottom out before tightening the rack properly

Get some new U bolts, new locking nuts, new washers, new friction strips and fit them...

hth,
Dave