8 replies to this topic

[Chris1992]

hi guys, so recently my mini failed its MOT. ive sorted most of the problems but the last one is the steering rack. its tighter than it should be and when driving the steering doesnt swing back again, you have to pull the steering wheel back to the centre. 

 

ive disconnected the track rod ends to see if it was the ball joints that were too tight, but both hubs move freely when disconnected so its not that. i should also mention this is a pretty new rack.

 

any ideas would be great

 

cheers guys

Chris

[Tamworthbay]

Self centreing (or not) can be down to tracking, did the garage give an idea if the rack is at fault?

[minirage]

so once the ball joints are disconnected, is the steering wheel hard to turn?

[Chris1992]

Self centreing (or not) can be down to tracking, did the garage give an idea if the rack is at fault?

 

hmm, the tracking isnt too bad but it might be affecting it. they didnt really go into detail much, they just said it was tighter than it should be and recommended disconnecting the track rod ends to check if the ball joints are too tight, which i did. they didnt really say what to do after that 

 

so once the ball joints are disconnected, is the steering wheel hard to turn?

 

its not incredibly tight, but there is definitely more resistance than there should be

[Tupers]

Are you running a steering column drop bracket? 

 

I the steering rack U bolts weren't loosened so the rack could rotate down when the the drop bracket was fitted then it will cause strain and stiffness on the rack. 

[Chris1992]

Are you running a steering column drop bracket? 

 

I the steering rack U bolts weren't loosened so the rack could rotate down when the the drop bracket was fitted then it will cause strain and stiffness on the rack. 

 

 

no im not using a drop bracket. its something ive been thinking of fitting thought so i'll keep that in mind

Edited by Chris1992, 03 August 2013 - 05:37 PM.

[ucchockey]

Check that the u bolts that attach the rack to the car aren't too tight. If they are done up really tight they can pinch the rack and crush it. I imagine this could cause it to turn stiffly.

[Captain Mainwaring]

Check that the u bolts that attach the rack to the car aren't too tight. If they are done up really tight they can pinch the rack and crush it. I imagine this could cause it to turn stiffly.

 

I think you'd pull them through the floor before crushing the rack - 

 

Take a look at the column bushes to make sure they haven't collapsed/bound up.

Edited by Captain Mainwaring, 05 August 2013 - 04:10 AM.

[Gulfclubby]

There's a guide and a spring in the rack where the pinion is. Take the cover off and remove a shim or two, if present, and see if the situation improves.

More likely than having too much preload is that the column is rubbing against the footwell or the clamp bolt is obstructed by the carpet or similar. Check that first.