26 replies to this topic

[Maccmike8]

Yeah very nice. Are those 12x4.5"?

[will_nic]

Yeah very nice. Are those 12x4.5"?

10 x 4.5 Cooper S reproduction wheels.

[Spider]

 

I did have a better look at the other side of the rack. With it at full lock (fully extended) there is play on the RHS as well... not as much as the LHS but still some.

 Any thoughts?

 

Cheers.

 

From what I could see in your Video, at the actual Pinion and Yoke, there's no play I could see. At the outer end you may see some play, but that's only from the other end, in the bush, having play and 'pivoting' around the Pinion and Yoke. A further guide here to the condition of the Pinion and Yoke is if you can have some one turn the Steering Wheel back and forth around the full lock and also central positions, while observing the rack. You'll see the Inner main part of it also rotate a little (due to the teeth being on a helix), it can be hard to gauge by how much, but if there's a difference of about 10 degrees between the when at an end to the central position, then it might be too far gone to overhaul. The total amount of 'rotational' movement, which translates in to play, can be shimmed out, but if there's big differences over the total travel of the Rack, then shimming may not help. The Yoke is Spring Loaded and will take up some difference, but there are limits.

 

It has to come out anyway and the parts don't cost much. I'd suggest buying the parts, removing the rack, stripping it and if it appears OK inside, Overhaul it. Or, perhaps, obtain a used Rack (or two), overhaul that, then swap them over.
 

[will_nic]

 

 

I did have a better look at the other side of the rack. With it at full lock (fully extended) there is play on the RHS as well... not as much as the LHS but still some.

 Any thoughts?

 

Cheers.

 

From what I could see in your Video, at the actual Pinion and Yoke, there's no play I could see. At the outer end you may see some play, but that's only from the other end, in the bush, having play and 'pivoting' around the Pinion and Yoke. A further guide here to the condition of the Pinion and Yoke is if you can have some one turn the Steering Wheel back and forth around the full lock and also central positions, while observing the rack. You'll see the Inner main part of it also rotate a little (due to the teeth being on a helix), it can be hard to gauge by how much, but if there's a difference of about 10 degrees between the when at an end to the central position, then it might be too far gone to overhaul. The total amount of 'rotational' movement, which translates in to play, can be shimmed out, but if there's big differences over the total travel of the Rack, then shimming may not help. The Yoke is Spring Loaded and will take up some difference, but there are limits.

 

It has to come out anyway and the parts don't cost much. I'd suggest buying the parts, removing the rack, stripping it and if it appears OK inside, Overhaul it. Or, perhaps, obtain a used Rack (or two), overhaul that, then swap them over.
 

 

 

Thanks for the comment and advice. I ended up replacing the rack with a new unit from MiniSpares. To be honest the build quality looked good and at £60 delivered in a day or so, it was the easiest option for me. I guess living in the UK makes getting hold of parts super easy.

 

The difference after installing the new rack is night and day. The steering is so much more precise, no play translated to the steering wheel and not knocking noises - I'm happy.

 

I've kept the old rack, which one day I might refurb, but for now I have plenty of other projects which demand time haha!

 

Cheers,

Will.

[Spider]

At £60 delivered I gotta agree, it's hard to walk past. I'm glad the result has been good and that it serves you well

 

[AlasdairM]

@Will_nic, did you follow any videos? My mini just failed the MOT for having play in the rack. 

 

I've ordered a new one from Minispares, but am not looking forward to doing the job on the street (I don't have a garage). 

 

 

This video looks ok...

[will_nic]

@Will_nic, did you follow any videos? My mini just failed the MOT for having play in the rack. 

 

I've ordered a new one from Minispares, but am not looking forward to doing the job on the street (I don't have a garage). 

 

 

This video looks ok...

 

Hi there!

I think I might have watched that video before hand...  I did ring Minispares and checked that the rack I orderd was already packed with grease and didn't need filling with oil. It wasn't too bad of a job to be honest, easier than I thought. Do-able on the driveway. Hardest part was getting enough space to get the old rack out and the new one in - done by lowering the engine/front subframe. When feeding the new rack in be careful not to knock the new gaitors. Don't forget the little plastic shims to stop rattles too. An extra set of hands to get the nuts on the u bolts on wouldn't hurt but I managed by myself.

Good luck!

[AlasdairM]

thanks a lot!

[rae07]

Hi, I am having similar knock and I am likely to have the steering rack replaced. Is there a need to do alignment after the replacement of the rack?

[nicklouse]

Hi, I am having similar knock and I am likely to have the steering rack replaced. Is there a need to do alignment after the replacement of the rack?

Yes as you getting the track rod ends in exactly the correct place is slim.

[rae07]

Thanks for reply. Appreciate it

[bpirie1000]

Make the measure ments and no tracking should be needed.... as long as it was right before,.,,