4 replies to this topic

[pakgorgor]

Recently ordered the minispares steering rack bush (37H8064) for my Rover mini. Went to fit it in the rack but discovered the outer diameter of the bush is too small. The inner diameter fits over the rack nice and snug, but it won't stay put inside the rack housing. It is a LHD rack, and does not have a metal spacer around the bush or a screw on the rack housing that holds the bush in place.

 

Any ideas where I can source a bushing that will fit this rack? I've previously seen a youtube video saying the bushing from a Fiat will fit, but don't remember which model Fiat.

 

 

[Spider]

You do need the steel sleeve over the bush. This is to hold it's shape properly and also with fitted correctly to make it stay put in the Rack body with the self tapper. If you don't have the sleeve, perhaps reach out to one of the local Mini Parts suppliers, I doubt a used one would cost much at all.

 

I don't know of the Fiat conversion so I'm sorry, I can't help with that.

You could also have a bush turned up in bronze and fit that, which I'd strongly recommend reaming to finished size after fitting to the body however, if you do this, be aware you'll highly likely need to bend the body of the rack a little in order to align the bush with the Pinion end of the Rack. They are not precision made and that's why the bushes were either felt or the plastic type that make contact on 3 points and so negates the need for precision alignment.

[pakgorgor]

You do need the steel sleeve over the bush. This is to hold it's shape properly and also with fitted correctly to make it stay put in the Rack body with the self tapper. If you don't have the sleeve, perhaps reach out to one of the local Mini Parts suppliers, I doubt a used one would cost much at all.

 

I don't know of the Fiat conversion so I'm sorry, I can't help with that.

You could also have a bush turned up in bronze and fit that, which I'd strongly recommend reaming to finished size after fitting to the body however, if you do this, be aware you'll highly likely need to bend the body of the rack a little in order to align the bush with the Pinion end of the Rack. They are not precision made and that's why the bushes were either felt or the plastic type that make contact on 3 points and so negates the need for precision alignment.

 

Thanks for the response.

 

Regarding the metal sleeve, the rack never had one to begin with. There is also no retaining screw for the bushing on the rack housing. It appears to be a different than in your rack overhaul post.

[Spider]

 

You do need the steel sleeve over the bush. This is to hold it's shape properly and also with fitted correctly to make it stay put in the Rack body with the self tapper. If you don't have the sleeve, perhaps reach out to one of the local Mini Parts suppliers, I doubt a used one would cost much at all.

 

I don't know of the Fiat conversion so I'm sorry, I can't help with that.

You could also have a bush turned up in bronze and fit that, which I'd strongly recommend reaming to finished size after fitting to the body however, if you do this, be aware you'll highly likely need to bend the body of the rack a little in order to align the bush with the Pinion end of the Rack. They are not precision made and that's why the bushes were either felt or the plastic type that make contact on 3 points and so negates the need for precision alignment.

 

Thanks for the response.

 

Regarding the metal sleeve, the rack never had one to begin with. There is also no retaining screw for the bushing on the rack housing. It appears to be a different than in your rack overhaul post.

 

 

Can you post up some photos of your rack ?

[pakgorgor]

Solved! Found a steering rack bushing that fits.

 

It's Fiat part number 4330731 with a 21mm ID. Had to slightly bore out the hole of the bush to fit, but the outer diameter is bigger than the bush from minispares and it fits nicely.