8 replies to this topic

[Andywade]

Crashed my Mini a while back - and bent the steering rack on the drivers side - is it possible to replace this part without having to drop the subframe?

Also is it possible to replace just the arms at the end or do you have to replace the entire rack? as I know there is a ball/rose joint in there somewhere and the bend is before the joint. (hidden by the gaitor at the moment)

Edited by Andywade, 09 April 2011 - 10:58 PM.

[mike.]

The steering arms are a part of the hub and are just a couple of bolt and a locktab to remove.

The track rod are the bits which actually do the steering which I assume your referring to. I think the racks are designed to be a non serviceable part, so fitting a new or recon steering rack would be the way to go. They're not too expensive anyway really.

I'm pretty sure you can't do a steering rack without lifting the body of the subframe a few inches to get at it and release it.

[Andywade]

The steering arms are a part of the hub and are just a couple of bolt and a locktab to remove.

The track rod are the bits which actually do the steering which I assume your referring to. I think the racks are designed to be a non serviceable part, so fitting a new or recon steering rack would be the way to go. They're not too expensive anyway really.

I'm pretty sure you can't do a steering rack without lifting the body of the subframe a few inches to get at it and release it.

Yeah didn't mean the steering arm. meant the rack.

I know they are fairly cheap. so not too worried. tempted to replace it with a quickrack from minispares 2.2 turns lock to lock.

[mike.]

Quick racks are tempting, but they'll make your steering heavier so bare that in mind if you've got big wide wheels.

[Andywade]

Quick racks are tempting, but they'll make your steering heavier so bare that in mind if you've got big wide wheels.

Did have 13x7.5's on it - one of them got smashed - so either need another 1 or might downside to 12x6
as the handling can get a bit funny with them big ol' wheels

[Dan]

Tyre size is more important, anything wider than 145 starts to feel very heavy with a quick rack and a non-standard wheel.

[Andywade]

Thanks for the infor - is dropping the subframe a difficult tak? I only have 1 trolley jack and some axle stands.

I'm guessing I can unbolt the subframe with the car on the floor and simply lift the shell up over the top of it?

[SomethingNew71]

Thanks for the infor - is dropping the subframe a difficult tak? I only have 1 trolley jack and some axle stands.

I'm guessing I can unbolt the subframe with the car on the floor and simply lift the shell up over the top of it?

Keep your car on the ground and put a stack of 2x4s under the front and back of the front subframe so that it doesn't tilt backwards or forwards when you lift the car up. Then unbolt the subframe and you and a friend lift the car up off the engine and subframe.

I imagine there is a bit more I am missing with all the transmission and exhaust system. I believe you have to take those apart too although I could be completely wrong.

[Andywade]

Thanks for the infor - is dropping the subframe a difficult tak? I only have 1 trolley jack and some axle stands.

I'm guessing I can unbolt the subframe with the car on the floor and simply lift the shell up over the top of it?

Keep your car on the ground and put a stack of 2x4s under the front and back of the front subframe so that it doesn't tilt backwards or forwards when you lift the car up. Then unbolt the subframe and you and a friend lift the car up off the engine and subframe.

I imagine there is a bit more I am missing with all the transmission and exhaust system. I believe you have to take those apart too although I could be completely wrong.

Transmission shouldnt be a problem - will have to unblot the dampers though and the exhaust isnt much of a problem I can unbolt it from the bottom of the manifold i think. - I only need to lift the shell up about a foot to get at the steering rack.

Thanks for the advice.

I have got 4x axle stands so can just pop them under 4 corners of the subby rather than using old wheels.and go to town