19 replies to this topic

[cal844]

I agree with Cooperman, in 12 years I've never refitted the friction strips, just tighten the nuts right (I tight check the U bolts and pinch bolt every 3 months or 3000 miles)

[Tornado99]

To me they are just something else to wear out. If the rack is correctly fitted and the U-bolts properly tightened, with Nyloc nuts used, then the rack is secured and located.
I'm sure some will say that the strips are vital, but I have not found that to be the case.

Yes it seems an odd item to have on a u-bolt. Seems like a compromise for a poor/loose fit between u-bolt and rack. Cheaper to fit this bodge than change the steering rack casing cross section to make it a proper fit to u-bolts.

[Spider]

Our local production never used these strips. When they changed to a locally made Steering Rack (1965-ish), they did fit steel plates, they are about 5/32" thick, pressed, but not really shaped to the Rack Body. I know when these aren't fitted, the Rack can slip in the body but the main reason I think they fitted them was to 'correct' the front end geometry in regards to bump steer, not that these correct it completely, but I can usually feel when they haven't been fitted as the bump steer is very much noticeable.

 

 

[Tornado99]

Our local production never used these strips. When they changed to a locally made Steering Rack (1965-ish), they did fit steel plates, they are about 5/32" thick, pressed, but not really shaped to the Rack Body. I know when these aren't fitted, the Rack can slip in the body but the main reason I think they fitted them was to 'correct' the front end geometry in regards to bump steer, not that these correct it completely, but I can usually feel when they haven't been fitted as the bump steer is very much noticeable.

 

 

What do you mean by bump steer? Just the movement of the steering wheel when hitting a bump? Can't understand how thin strips of plastic could affect something like that... .

[Spider]

What do you mean by bump steer? Just the movement of the steering wheel when hitting a bump? Can't understand how thin strips of plastic could affect something like that... .

 

 

You may wish to google the term to get a full description, but basically as the suspension rises and falls, the car should but doesn't steer straight or maintain the same line when cornering.