8 replies to this topic

[kennethravn]

Hello,

I've bought a full steering rack for my 1978 Mini 1000 from minispares.

Is it possible to disassemble the inner tie-rod joints from the rack? If so, how is it done?

Thank you for your time.

Kind regards,
Kenneth Ravn

[nicklouse]

the inner track rods unscrew.

 

but why as there are no serviceable parts in there,

[kennethravn]

the inner track rods unscrew.
 
but why as there are no serviceable parts in there,

Thank you, will try that!

I failed the MOT because of play in the inner track rods, and since I couldn't find the track rods separately, I had to buy the whole rack. I couldn't figure out how to dissasemble it in fear of breaking it.

[nicklouse]

don't bother just fit the new rack.

 

the old one has to come out anyway.

[greenwheels]

don't bother just fit the new rack.

 

the old one has to come out anyway.

Agreed - but the blokes who rebuild the old ones for exchange must have new bits, so why can't we have them.

[nicklouse]

some HD ones for you

 

http://www.swiftune....drumsticks.aspx

[tiger99]

On older racks the inner track rod ends are somewhat like the top and bottom ball joints, with a large hemispherical cap nut and a small ball seating. Unfortunately on those I have seem, the dual radius ball was integral with the track rod. For the same reason that wear on the ball joints can not be rectified by fiddling with shimming (ball worn oval) it can't be adjusted out here either.

I hear that in line with many other components modern racks are all press fits, crimps and such like, and can't be non-destructively dismantled. Annoying, but that is how it is.

If you had the facilities you could machine the ends of the rack and fit yokes to take a pair of easily replaceable rose joints. But then you would be limited by wear on the pinion, it's bearings, and the central working area of the rack. The pinion bearings and it's preloaded "slipper" may also be inaccessible on modern racks.

They will be making engines with the cylinder head in one piece with the block next. Oh wait, they do...

[Cooperman]

You might remember the early Mk.1 & Mk.2 racks where a felt bush was fitted in the opposite end of the rack from the pinion to support the rack. This felt bush, which sat in a thin-wall sleeve, used to wear and the rack would 'knock' over bumps with the knocking being felt through the bulkhead.

 

Then a plastic bush was fitted into the same steel sleeve as a replacement. The trick was to remove the track rod from the end of the rack at that end, remove the very short grub-screw which was intended to secure the felt bush, knock back the flange on the outer end of the sleeve and pull the felt bush out. A replacement-type plastic bush could then be fitted by sliding it on and tapping it in place with a piece of tube and a mallet. In fact it was just possible to get 3 new plastic bushes into the sleeve, then drill a small hole into the centre of the three to take the grub screw. The flange could then be knocked back to retain the outer plastic bush, some oil added to replace any lost and the track rod & gaiter re-fitted.

 

The steering always seemed a little stiff for the first 100 miles or so, but after that the rack was very long lasting. This could all be done without dropping the rack or moving anything else other than taking the wheel off, undoing the track-rod end and slipping the gaiter off.

 

I don't think this is possible now and the plastic bushes are, I believe, NLA, although it would be easy to make some up.

[tiger99]

Yes indeed I remember having to do that. As far as I can tell, they now use a very much better bush, because the usual wear out mechanisms are sloppy pinion/rack mesh (free play), worn ball joints and rough pinion bearings. I have not heard of a worn bush for many years. There are some very good plastic bearing materials these days.

I don't know who actually makes Mini racks or reconditions them properly nowadays. Like other things I suspect that conversion to a possibly shortened rack from a modern car may become necessary at some stage. They last a lot longer now.