8 replies to this topic

[pakgorgor]

Here are the symptoms:

 

When the car is on the ground, steering wheel centered, there is a slight dead spot or play when turning the steering wheel before the wheels actually turn. A very small amount but enough to feel it.

 

When the front wheels are off the ground, dead spot in steering is gone. However, when holding the tires at 3 and 9 to check for play, there is movement in the rack (see picture below). It is more pronounced on the left side than the right. The car is LHD. All ball joints are in good shape.

 

Things I've checked:

- Steering column upper and lower bushes are new. The column was recently rebuilt.

- Steering column lower pinch bolt is tight. 

- Splines in the column and on the steering rack are not rounded and in good shape.

- Steering rack U bolts are tight.

 

Is it time for a new rack? Or does this sound like a new nylon bush would cure the problem?

 

If it's time for a new rack, my mini came from the factory with 13" wheels, and I have since downsized to 12" and 10". Would I be safe to run the standard rack (FAM7307), or should I stick with the Sportspack rack (GSR1185)?

 

 

[Spider]

It does sound like your Rack is worn.

I'd suggest overhauling that one or another. I don't rate the new racks I'm sorry.

 

They are fairly simple to overhaul.

[pakgorgor]

What parts would I need for a refurb? Is it possible to do in situ?

[cal844]

I send mine to a local trade parts dealer to get refurbished. The rack does need to come off the car

[Spider]

What parts would I need for a refurb? Is it possible to do in situ?

 

They can be done on the car, but honestly, it would be WAY easier and you'll be able to get a quicker and better job doing it off car, even taking in to account the time it takes to remove and refit.

[RooBoonix]

It does sound like your Rack is worn.

I'd suggest overhauling that one or another. I don't rate the new racks I'm sorry.

 

They are fairly simple to overhaul.

 

Out of interest, what don't you like about the new racks?

 

I've got a brand new one in my loft (the usual place to keep one) but have kept the old one too as there was nothing wrong with it so I could refurbish it and reuse it if I feel the need to.

[Spider]

 

It does sound like your Rack is worn.

I'd suggest overhauling that one or another. I don't rate the new racks I'm sorry.

 

They are fairly simple to overhaul.

 

Out of interest, what don't you like about the new racks?

 

I've got a brand new one in my loft (the usual place to keep one) but have kept the old one too as there was nothing wrong with it so I could refurbish it and reuse it if I feel the need to.

 

 

I haven't yet had time to strip one down to see what their issues are in detail but those that have bought them in these parts, seem to only get 1 to 3 years from them before they are well worn out. These seems to be a few different brands in them (which I think further compounds a quality issue), but none seem better than the next. Why I say that have a few brands compounds the issue is that the market for these would be low volume, so instead of one factory supplying them all that they can make a better profit by volume on and therefore offer a better unit, we have firms competing against each other and inevitably, one will try to offer their cheaper than the next guy in order to make sales on ever smaller volumes.

I do know they put grease in them instead of oil. The original factory fitted Racks, made by Cam Gears (a division of TRW) were designed to operate with oil. The Factory somewhere in the mid / late 70's elected, to the annoyance of TRW, to use grease in them as they were getting a few warranty returns from oil leaks.and the grease idea has carried over to the new racks too. I don't think this is the problem with the new racks, but it's not helping. The grease simply done not lubricate anything close to how oil will. I can always tell right away when a rack has been run with oil or grease. Often, those that have been run with grease are worn to the point they either need some machining re-work or they just can't be overhauled. Apart from Gaiters, there's no spare parts available for these racks either and it seems these gaiters are also of the same quality we have all come to expect of replacement rubber these days.

[RooBoonix]

It does sound like your Rack is worn.

I'd suggest overhauling that one or another. I don't rate the new racks I'm sorry.

They are fairly simple to overhaul.

Out of interest, what don't you like about the new racks?

I've got a brand new one in my loft (the usual place to keep one) but have kept the old one too as there was nothing wrong with it so I could refurbish it and reuse it if I feel the need to.

I haven't yet had time to strip one down to see what their issues are in detail but those that have bought them in these parts, seem to only get 1 to 3 years from them before they are well worn out. These seems to be a few different brands in them (which I think further compounds a quality issue), but none seem better than the next. Why I say that have a few brands compounds the issue is that the market for these would be low volume, so instead of one factory supplying them all that they can make a better profit by volume on and therefore offer a better unit, we have firms competing against each other and inevitably, one will try to offer their cheaper than the next guy in order to make sales on ever smaller volumes.

I do know they put grease in them instead of oil. The original factory fitted Racks, made by Cam Gears (a division of TRW) were designed to operate with oil. The Factory somewhere in the mid / late 70's elected, to the annoyance of TRW, to use grease in them as they were getting a few warranty returns from oil leaks.and the grease idea has carried over to the new racks too. I don't think this is the problem with the new racks, but it's not helping. The grease simply done not lubricate anything close to how oil will. I can always tell right away when a rack has been run with oil or grease. Often, those that have been run with grease are worn to the point they either need some machining re-work or they just can't be overhauled. Apart from Gaiters, there's no spare parts available for these racks either and it seems these gaiters are also of the same quality we have all come to expect of replacement rubber these days.

Thanks.

My "old" rack is from a '94 car so going by your info will be a grease filled rack. Perhaps I'll look into refurbishing this instead of using the new one.

[ac427]

Does this questionable rack quality extend to quick ratio racks?

Edited by ac427, 11 March 2022 - 05:54 PM.