19 replies to this topic

[booton]

just wanted to check.

is it true you can not change the track rod arms.

i have a little bit of play in my track rod arm. hardly anything at the moment,

but i can seem to find to a replacement part which must mean that the arm is not removable.

is this correct? before i buy a steering column .

[mini-luke]

You mean track rod end?

http://www.minispare...c/GSJ734MS.aspx

[booton]

no steering arm. track rod arm.

what the track rod end attaches to.

[benjy_18]

The part on the hub is the steering arm, the part I think your referring to is the track rod itself (the part the track rod end screws onto.

Iirc the steering rack can only be bought as a complete unit, no parts are available separate but I could be wrong.

Ben

[ToM 2012]

i think you can change the arm but you need to be able to get to it and its not a nice job with the subframe in the way so you might have to drop the subframe out the way witch this case just put a new steering rack on? i might be wrong but i couldnt get to mine with the subframe fitted.

[booton]

great. another great design by British Leyland.
the play atm is very very minimal. will grease it all up an see what happens.

[MRA]

great. another great design by British Leyland.
the play atm is very very minimal. will grease it all up an see what happens.

Track control rod from steering rack to track rod end (bearing) ? just get a new rack it will be a lot better in the long run, and there are not many racks that can be repaired, most are either throw away or require very special equipment.

[Cooperman]

I'm assuming he means the track rod which comes out of the end of the rack and is partly inside the rack gaiter.
The play in the LH track rod (NOT track rod END) is normally in the bush which sits inside the rack outer tube.
You can only change these by taking the rack out and completely stripping it down. Therefore, you will be best off getting an exchange rack. In fact, I don't think the bush is available now. Part number is 37H8064.

[The Matt]

As suggested. Best option is to replace the rack on a Mini. Unlike other marques you can't really do much with the rack. Exchange racks are really cheap too.

[Cooperman]

The early Mk.1 Minis had a thick felt bush at the end of the rack tube. It was possible to buy 3 off of those nylon bushes, then take off the track rod end, the gaiter and the actual track rod. It was then possible to knock flat the retaining flange, fit the 3 nylon bushes and tap the flange back up to retain them. There was a small screw which helped to retain the felt bush and by drilling a small hole into the bush (it went through the centre one IIRC) the small screw could be replaced. The rack was then re-filled with gear oil to the correct amount.
We did this on the rally cars as the felt bush would fail very quickly on an early rally Mini. With the 3 nylon bushes the rack would last a long time without any problem.

[MRA]

Exchange racks are no longer that good, the parts and make up are in most if not all cases very poor, the price of a new rack from the likes of Mini Spares are both cheap and excellent quality.

[Cooperman]

Yes, I bought a brand new LHD rack for my Innocenti from Mini Spares and the quality is excellent.
I have re-built original racks, back in the 60's & 70's, but it's really easier to buy a brand new one as when rebuilding the setting up is critical.

Edited by Cooperman, 29 March 2013 - 10:08 PM.

[booton]

right oo will get a new one from mini spares i think. been reading through the haynes Manuel. mad how much needs to removed first.

[MRA]

The steering rack is worth changing if you have the subframe out for any reason.

[The Matt]

I'm lucky. I can do mine with the subframe in place!