19 replies to this topic

[Lenhamracer]

yesterday I found a new problem on my road rally Mini. After hard cornering to the left (there is a Swiftune LSD in the car) the steering wheel wasn´t centered on the next straight. After a while the steering returned to the center position. Could it be that the steering rack moved because of the LSD?? Everything else seems to be fixed.

Thank you very much

[Midas Mk1]

Castor  & toe set correctly? IIRC castor can effect self centring. 

[nicklouse]

yesterday I found a new problem on my road rally Mini. After hard cornering to the left (there is a Swiftune LSD in the car) the steering wheel wasn´t centered on the next straight. After a while the steering returned to the center position. Could it be that the steering rack moved because of the LSD?? Everything else seems to be fixed.

Thank you very much

No, but your rack could be lose or the column to rack connation could be worn/lose

[tiger99]

This is an extremely dangerous condition. DO NOT DRIVE IT AT ALL UNTIL IT IS FIXED.

Column spline failures due to lack of maintenance or the use of unsafe drop brackets have killed a number of people.

Nicklouse is correct, either the rack U bolts are loose (or its mounting structure is cracking) or it is the steering column, most often the latter. You need to take the column out and check the female splines at the bottom for wear. Then it must be assembled with a new pinch bolt and the rack realigned. If there is wear you MUST fit a new inner column.

Do not take any chances on this. It has always been the number 1 killer in Minis, and is not a design defect but due entirely to improper maintenance or fitting unsafe drop brackets. Minis are all at least 17 years old now and there is no knowing what damage to vital parts like this may have been done by previous owners. (Number 2 is improperly shimmed ball joints.)

[tiger99]

This is an extremely dangerous condition. DO NOT DRIVE IT AT ALL UNTIL IT IS FIXED.

Column spline failures due to lack of maintenance or the use of unsafe drop brackets have killed a number of people.

Nicklouse is correct, either the rack U bolts are loose (or its mounting structure is cracking) or it is the steering column, most often the latter. You need to take the column out and check the female splines at the bottom for wear. Then it must be assembled with a new pinch bolt and the rack realigned. If there is wear you MUST fit a new inner column.

Do not take any chances on this. It has always been the number 1 killer in Minis, and is not a design defect but due entirely to improper maintenance or fitting unsafe drop brackets. Minis are all at least 17 years old now and there is no knowing what damage to vital parts like this may have been done by previous owners. (Number 2 is improperly shimmed ball joints.)

[Lenhamracer]

Ok - thank you very much, I will check as soon as possible and will leave the car in the garage. I did not know that it is a common problem on Minis. There is a column drop bracket fitted, could this be the problem? Can it ruin the splines / column?

[nicklouse]

 There is a column drop bracket fitted, could this be the problem? Can it ruin the splines / column?

if it has been fitted incorrectly then you may have trashed the spines on the column and/or the rack. from what you say most likely the column.

[tiger99]

It is almost always the column that is trashed because it is only mild steel. The rack pinion is a high grade steel, and hardened. But in theory the bending load could damage it or the bearings.

[Lenhamracer]

Hi 

 

have checked the column and it is in perfect condition. The rack was a bit loose and also the steering wheel boss is worn out!! Need a new one asap...

 

Thank you very much

 

Thomas

[paulrockliffe]

How would the drop bracket be fitted incorrectly?  

[Swift_General]

How would the drop bracket be fitted incorrectly?  

If the column is lowered, the rack needs to be allowed to rotate within its mounts. If this is not done there will be a constant bending moment between the column and rack which can lead to damage as described above (remember there is no UJ in the column).

Edited by Swift_General, 28 March 2017 - 01:21 PM.

[A-Cell]

As Swift says.
To the OP, what the LSD will cause, as you stated you are experiencing in your other post, is extra load on the steering system, causing premature wear of the components. The extra effort you are putting in has to be reacted somewhere!

[Spider]

How would the drop bracket be fitted incorrectly?  

 

Where there's a will, there's a way!

[paulrockliffe]

Great thanks, that's what I thought, but was worried there was something else that I might have done wrong!

[pusb]

Column spline failures due to lack of maintenance or the use of unsafe drop brackets have killed a number of people.
 

 

Is the steering column a maintainable item? I've never touched mine. Should I have done?