26 replies to this topic

[BiMU]

Right... now utterly getting peed off. I needed the mini to be sound for just today so i could finally do my digital art project which needs the mini running so i could do filming every 2 hours of the day... I made 5am, then fell asleep... then 8am, 10am, 12noon... and i was about to film 2pm when i heard a snap down the steering. Lucky I didnt pull out onto the main road. So drove the mini back to my house and had a look. The U-bolts are tight so i guess it cant be that. Any other sugestions?

Here's some video clips of the steering play. Click to watch the videos...

[minipip]

my mate russ did this the other day snaped a few teeth on his rack, thts only thing i can think of, you need a new rack, by the way because u have sportspack alloys get a quick rack otherwise your tyers will rubb

[Purple Tom]

by the way because u have sportspack alloys get a quick rack otherwise your tyers will rubb

Nope thats not correct. A quickrack is a different ratio rack just meaning it takes less turns from lock to lock. A quickrack will still mean Sportpack wheels will rub. A sportpack rack, or the correct spacers on a standard/quick rack will be necessary. Sorry to be pedantic but it really is quite important that you use the correct terminology, as it could mean the difference between someone buying the right thing or the wrong thing.

Of course this is assuming it is the rack thats faulty. Might be an idea to check the trackrod ends and steering arms too. If your U-Bolts are tight this eliminates rack movement being the issue.

[minidaves]

that looks like the rack aint bolted to the floor properly. Or your subframe mounts are shot too

dave

[MB1380]

Have you tried the pinch bolt that tightens the steering column to the rack down at the floor? that was loose on mine before and i had the same problem

[Jammy]

And I believe Bimu's car is a sportspack anyway? In which case it would be fitted with a sportspack steering rack, which Minis84 correctly states is not the same as a quickrack (which is something I've explained many times! ).

[miniboo]

isn't it just a sportpack lookalike?

if you do need a new rack i think there is one in the for sale section

[BiMU]

Have you tried the pinch bolt that tightens the steering column to the rack down at the floor? that was loose on mine before and i had the same problem

I had a quick go at the pinch bolt and its as tight as a mofo! I'll have another go in a bit.

[Jammy]

Personally I'd take the steering column off the rack and check the condition of the splines on both parts.

[BiMU]

And I believe Bimu's car is a sportspack anyway? In which case it would be fitted with a sportspack steering rack, which Minis84 correctly states is not the same as a quickrack (which is something I've explained many times! ).

Ah I wish it was a sportspack... more a of a mini city pimped out. I think Dan pointed out when i went to see him is that its not a sportspack rack so the steering is very heavy.

Personally I'd take the steering column off the rack and check the condition of the splines on both parts.

Is that a hard proceedure? As I would say I can get around the mini ok, but i havent undertaken anything as complicated as rack removal or engine removal...

[minipip]

sorry! me being misinformed!
but still i think its the teeth on the rack give that a look.
sorry if i gave out the wrong info, i didnt mean to, was a mistake
appoligis to anyone who feels the need to say someing like
'DUR its not a quick rack its a sportspack rack you dumb ar*e'
but check the rack!

[BiMU]

sorry! me being misinformed!
but still i think its the teeth on the rack give that a look.
sorry if i gave out the wrong info, i didnt mean to, was a mistake
appoligis to anyone who feels the need to say someing like
'DUR its not a quick rack its a sportspack rack you dumb ar*e'
but check the rack!

Cheers dude. Its nice that people even answer and give their thoughts and opinions. We learn something all the time on this forum so I guess its a good thing even if we are wrong. Thats what the forums here for!

Will go through the Haynes manual when I get a spare minute!

[The Matt]

To be honest, you simply cannot afford to have that much play in your steering system, if you are at all uncertain how to check it out, get someone who knows about mechanics to help you with it.

It does seem very excessive.

Maybe track rod ends, maybe floor U-bolts on the rack, maybe worn out rack. Generally, check all the steering components for play.

[Dan]

Yeah I noticed it wasn't a Sportspack rack but I don't think that will really change the feel of the steering, it's just heavy 'because they're big fat 13" wheels.

I remember you were worried about the steering when you came over. Nothing was loose then, it could be just a worn rack due to heaving those big wheels about or it could have loosened up as Dave says. I seem to remember that your tower mounts could do with looking at but I didn't look at any others. Get someone to watch the rack as you turn the steering left and right with the car stationary and see if the rack moves on the toe board as the crack sound is made. I've had that happen before, it's not that major. I think the Nylon strips are still there, probably just needs tightening.

[BiMU]

Yeah I noticed it wasn't a Sportspack rack but I don't think that will really change the feel of the steering, it's just heavy 'because they're big fat 13" wheels.

I remember you were worried about the steering when you came over. Nothing was loose then, it could be just a worn rack due to heaving those big wheels about or it could have loosened up as Dave says. I seem to remember that your tower mounts could do with looking at but I didn't look at any others. Get someone to watch the rack as you turn the steering left and right with the car stationary and see if the rack moves on the toe board as the crack sound is made. I've had that happen before, it's not that major. I think the Nylon strips are still there, probably just needs tightening.

Hi Dan... just wondering what you mean by toe board? As in beneath where the rack can be seen? Before the incident i was en route to Moss for some parts...dang it!