8 replies to this topic

[Big_Adam]

Afternoon,

Two things, as it turns out I have fewer parts than I thought.

1) I have a steering rack. Length ways there is no play, all the joints are nice and solid but it has lateral (?) movement. You got the outer of the rack, and an inner pole with the ball joints on the end which go to the track rod ends, that wiggles about inside the outer rack. Maybe 1mm or less overall, wondering if thats going to be a problem.

2) I got 4 diffrent drive shafts, I'm planning on discs next build, which two out of these 4 are correct?

http://i.imgur.com/eWthO.jpg

Ta for any help.

[tiger99]

The rack is a problem, as it will knock, and possibly a MOT failure, depending on how much play the tester considers to be acceptable. I assume it is moving at the passenger side end, and if so the internal bush is worn and can, in most racks, be replaced relatively easily. The design changed over the years, so I would advise checking the Somerford Mini web site to see exactly what parts apply to yours, and if they are available. Check the Haynes manual for the repair procedure.

If there is much movement at the drivers end, the rack will need to be reconditioned. It is pointless just adjusting the shimming, as it will be worn unevenly.

[Guess-Works.com]

Drive shafts...

The two with the big splined ends are early shafts which should have crucifix type rubber joints on the end, but these bits are missing...

The other two look to be a miss matched pair of pot joint shafts, with the thinner (short) one being of a late 70's 850, and the other one looks a bit hinkey... possibly off a metro not a mini...

So in preference... forget them and find two late model drive shafts, one long, one short.

[Big_Adam]

The rack is a problem, as it will knock, and possibly a MOT failure, depending on how much play the tester considers to be acceptable. I assume it is moving at the passenger side end, and if so the internal bush is worn and can, in most racks, be replaced relatively easily. The design changed over the years, so I would advise checking the Somerford Mini web site to see exactly what parts apply to yours, and if they are available. Check the Haynes manual for the repair procedure.

If there is much movement at the drivers end, the rack will need to be reconditioned. It is pointless just adjusting the shimming, as it will be worn unevenly.

Ah right, checking an old book of mine, seems there is a wee screw that holds the bush in, so I'll have a go at popping that out later and seeing what I can do with it. Cheers for that, just hope I can get a bush rather than spend £30 on a rack. Cheers Tiger.

Drive shafts...

The two with the big splined ends are early shafts which should have crucifix type rubber joints on the end, but these bits are missing...

The other two look to be a miss matched pair of pot joint shafts, with the thinner (short) one being of a late 70's 850, and the other one looks a bit hinkey... possibly off a metro not a mini...

So in preference... forget them and find two late model drive shafts, one long, one short.

Well ... balls, how the hell do I have 4 drive shafts, none of which should fit my car. Oh well, another part for the list, cheers Guessworks.

[Big_Adam]

Afternoon my dearies.

So, I stripped the rack and found the bush. Its a tiny thing about half inch wide, plastic with a steel outer. My question is, anyone have ANY idea what the plastic is (nylon, ABS, ?), as I think I'll just make a new bush rather than try and hunt one down. Maybe make it wider too.

[Gulfclubby]

I'd much rather spend 30£ on a new rack with no play than 300£ in labor for getting a new rack in after the car is completely assembled. It's an easy job, but requires the entire front subframe to be dropped so is either going to be costly as it is labor intensive or you do it yourself, which is also a good half day of work.

[Big_Adam]

I'd much rather spend 30£ on a new rack with no play than 300£ in labor for getting a new rack in after the car is completely assembled. It's an easy job, but requires the entire front subframe to be dropped so is either going to be costly as it is labor intensive or you do it yourself, which is also a good half day of work.

My car is in bits in the garage. Not that hard to change a subframe on a car, done it twice now. I just need the bush for inside the rack.

[tiger99]

The bush is probably nylon, but I really do recommend that you use the correct part. It is made that way for very good reasons, which we are not necessarily aware of. One of the golden rules of engineering is to never try to "improve" anything unless you have access to the original design information.

[Big_Adam]

Have to start snooping around ebay for a cheap bit of nylon stock then, see what I can find. In the mean time I'm going to see if I can get that final bearing out.