15 replies to this topic

[josh austin mini city e 82]

Hi guys, well I'm trying to get my mini in the best possible condition I can before I store it over winter, body work is done, new engine and a few other bits. My next problem lies with the steering .. Or sometimes lack of :-( going to try and describe this as best I can so bare with me.. Basically when I turn my steering wheel whilst driving round a corner it almost feels like it's slipping, but it only ever slips a certain amount roughly say a 10th of a turn. I'll turn to go round the corner and as I'm increasing the amount I turn the wheels will turn but as I increase it more the wheels stay facing the same way whilst my steering wheel turns (about a tenth of a turn) then it will steer the wheels as well after that tenth or so. It can be quite scary sometimes as I'm sure you can understand ! It's had new ball joints on the front.. Could the steering rack be worn ? Iv also read something on this about the splines being worn at the bottom of the steering shaft but iv looked and mine don't appear to be worn
Any help or advice on this is appreciated as always !
Thanks
Josh

[Jordie]

steering rack - steering coloumn spiles.

 

this is a serious fault please check it.

 

The bottom of your steering col is a female spline, tightened with a 6mm roughly bolt through the clamp.

 

the steering rack is a male stub with splines.

 

one or both of these components are worn/damaged.

[Youngowner93]

Have you got a drop bracket installed? 

 

As Jordie says this is a serious fault and needs sorting before you can safely drive your mini. Do not drive it until you have resolved your problem. 

 

Get the column off and inspect the splines on both it and the rack for any wear. 

[josh austin mini city e 82]

I'll be straight on it ! Is there anything else it could be ? Or is it defiantly the splines ?
Thanks for the replies
Josh

[minidaves]

check the rack retaining brackets are tight (4 1/2" nuts under the carpet) this can cause this interesting problem too

[waddle]

get someone in the car to turn the wheel and just go through all steering components looking for play just hold each peace as he gives the wheel a wobble and you will be able to feel where the play is,  my bet is on the rack or the u bolts that hold it on , is there much play in the rack when its not moving and you turn the wheel ?

[carbon]

check the rack retaining brackets are tight (4 1/2" nuts under the carpet) this can cause this interesting problem too

 

+1 for Minidaves suggestion, this happened to me recently. Gives very 'interesting' characteristics - when you go into corners suddenly get lots of understeer and overall vicious handling. Not pleasant.

 

Tightening up the rack securing clamp bolts transformed it completely.

[josh austin mini city e 82]

Thanks again for the replys
Yes waddle there is a bit of play even when not steering

[Whooppee]

I had exactly the same problem. It's the splines at the end of the column. Once you get it fixed avoid turning the steering wheel without the car rolling. It puts a hell of a lot of pressure on the column. My dad done mine after jumping out of his mx5 and into my mini. Which obviously has no power steering. Good luck mate.

[josh austin mini city e 82]

Where is the best place I can get a replacement steering column ? Do I have to replace the whole column or are there seperate parts I can buy ?
Thanks again for the replys
Josh

[josh austin mini city e 82]

I'll be checking the rack retainment brackets are tight first before I go buying anything of cause

[josh austin mini city e 82]

check the rack retaining brackets are tight (4 1/2" nuts under the carpet) this can cause this interesting problem too

Can't find these 4 1/2" nuts :-S  image.jpg   43.61K   7 downloads
This is the only clamp under my carpets
Could it be these nuts under the car holding the steering rack on ?  image.jpg   54.06K   8 downloads

[corrado vr6]

You need to pull the carpet back further and the bolts are more central of the car

[benjy_18]

Two of the four nuts your after can be seen in this photo

[corrado vr6]

And you can see 2 of the holes here in the little recessed bit above the 2 holes that are on an angle