5 replies to this topic

[fazman]

Well i had to change the steering arm on my mini and it was only on about 3 turns which is not good. So thought i better chevck the other side so check it this was on about 10 turns no this is not right. Thing is the tracking was actually right so i think it must be something to do with the suspension geometry. I have changed the top arms just in case they were bent (was told they may) no difference. So what do you guys think it can be? By the way i did centralise the rack on the rack.
FAZ

[Jammy]

Is the tracking actually out? Or is it just the number of turns on the track rods is different on each side?

[Sprocket]

that will be a dogey garage setting up the tracking incorrectly. they will have only adjustedv one side to get the tracking right but then the steering wheel will not be centered so to speak. if an aftermarket steering wheel has been fitted one tooth out on the spines, tracking may have been adjusted to correct this, all be it the wrong way to do it :nugget:

[Dan]

Did you really center the steering rack by using the centering plug when you did this or did you just guestimate by counting turns? 7 threads on a track rod end (it's not a steering arm, that's part of the hub) isn't much of the rack travel and it would be easy to be this far out. It's about one tooth on the pinion.

If you don't know this then it will help, if you already know it then it won't I suppose....

Under the front carpet, on the passenger side is a grommet where the unused steering column position for other countries is. Remove this and under it you will find a plug to remove from the steering rack. Once you unscrew the plug, put a long 6.5mm / 1/4" steel dowel through the hole (if you don't have any accurately sized steel dowels for this then use the blunt end of the right sized drill bit). Now turn the steering to where you think the center is and move it side to side until the dowel drops into the hole in the rack, this will hold it central while you roughly set the tracking and get the steering wheel lined up to center before you put it back together and take it for a proper alignment check. Remember to put the plug back in before you drive it off or the dirt will get into the rack and grease will get out.

[1984mini25]

Do the above so you know the rack is centralised
Forget about the steering wheel for now

Having done this your front wheels will most likely not be pointing straight
So remove both track rod ends and count how many turns

Say you have 3 on the n/s and 5 on the o/s
Add them together then divide by two
3+5 = 8
8 divided by 2 = 4
So that’s 4 turns each side
When you wind them back on put a little copper grease on the threads to stop them seizing up in the future
Not very funny when you come to do the tracking a few years later
Then lock the by tightening the lock nut

Now for the steering wheel
Remove while keeping the front wheels straight
And re-fit in the straight a head position
It won't be spot on but it should give you a starting point to getting it set up properly

[Jammy]

Certain after market steering rack (like the Quickrack from MiniSpares) don't have that centralising pin.