4 replies to this topic

[TheMiniWhore]

Sorry if this has been mentioned before but what is the quickest way to change a steering rack I've heard that you can just drop the back of the subframe down and get it out because I need the old one out and the new one in a day and get the whole car back together. And I don't fancy dropping engines out because it's a fair amount of work can anyone help??

[tiger99]

You heard correctly, you only need to drop the rear end of the subframe 2 to 3 inches, which involves disconnecting exhaust from manifold, undoing top engine steady, removing subframe to toeboard mount bolts, and subframe top bolts, loosening subframe front mount bolts, and raising shell carefully using two large wooden load spreaders on the floor immediately behing the bulkhead.

 

Jack very slowly and cautiously, checking under the bonnet as you go, especially for the risk of damage to the brake PRV to front right brake pipe, and re-tighten its unions afterwards, as stressing it may have caused them to leak. Other things, pipes, wires, etc may foul on various things, depending on exact model of Mini, but generally can be dealt with easily.

[sherly]

Yep - did mine last night - took about 3 1/2 hours (but that was on a car which hasn't been together all that long, so no stubborn fixings!)

 

Exactly as tiger99 describes - with the subframe dropped 2-3 inches it gives you just enough room to wiggle the steering rack/u-bolts out.  I removed plenum/carb and laid to one side in the engine bay (I'm running a turbo) as these looked like they would foul on the bulkhead when dropping the 'frame. The only thing I did differently to above was to get the body jacked up and supported on axle stands using a wooden plank to spread the load, and then support the engine/subframe on a jack which you can then lower when the bolts are removed - but it's a similar principle.  

 

I found refittng the u-bolts and the anti-friction strips a bit of a PITA, mainly on the drivers side so the air was a bit blue then - but certainly not an impossible job, just a bit fiddly.

[lyndseyp27]

do it drunk. everything seems quicker when you're drunk!

[TheMiniWhore]

Cheers for the help Guys crack on with that tomorrow:)