would just ;ike to say, reading what i've put it sounds stupid and i won't do it unless there is a seriously good suggestion as i know its a very delicate thing, loosing steering and all.
its just theres a mini rotting down the road from my house that has one i can use! so id love to get it home as then its free to change and i have to go back this weekend anyway!
Danny.
Devoloped Huge Play In Steering Wheel And Clicking Noise On Turning
Started by
dansalter
, Nov 01 2009 07:05 PM
20 replies to this topic
#16
dansalter
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Mini Mad
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Posted 02 November 2009 - 06:15 PM
#17
Boycie
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Camshaft & Stage Two Head
- Location: Kent/ East Sussex border
Posted 02 November 2009 - 06:39 PM
Well, if you have access to some decent parts, use them!!!
You're right, it's a seriously safety critical point..
I know the rack is a bit of a pain to change, but the peace of mind will be worth it
You're right, it's a seriously safety critical point..
I know the rack is a bit of a pain to change, but the peace of mind will be worth it
#18
dansalter
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Posted 02 November 2009 - 06:42 PM
yeah i know, i really want to
problem is the part is in birmingham and i'm in swansea!!
and i really could do with a temp fix to get back home.
=s.
problem is the part is in birmingham and i'm in swansea!!
and i really could do with a temp fix to get back home.
=s.
#19
Dan
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On Sabbatical
Posted 02 November 2009 - 07:10 PM
The spline inside the column is completely gone, I mean totally. You can see the edge that the pinion has machined into it in use. The pinion looks OK to me, not perfect but useable. It has had the edges rounded off but the teeth are still pretty deep. You can see that the deepest parts aren't worn because there is still rust sitting in them. As said above it's hard to tell from photos and you will have to assess how well it engages with a column for yourself but I don't think it's scrap. The bolt is the wrong one, it's a screw for one thing! It is supposed to be a bolt and it's meant to fit quite tightly in the groove of the pinion, it has a plain unthreaded section long enough to engage with the slot.
Is there no way you can get home to harvest the parts without this car? I really don't think it's worth the risk. Even with a new bolt, the bolt isn't meant to take the steering load. The screw fitted now won't have been taking the steering load for very long and you can see how far it has bent. You can see it hasn't been like that for long because it hasn't done much damage to the pinion where the thread has been dragged over it. It will only have been taking the load, and slipping and bending, for as long as you have noticed the slop in the steering. The rest of the damage to the original spline has happened over the course of the time since the drop bracket was fitted. That should tell you how quickly even a new bolt will last. It really isn't a good idea to bodge this. If you are good at machining or hand finishing parts you could chop away the worn section of spline socket and remake the end of the column higher up, with the required drilling for the bolt and the slot but you would have to get it right and it would only be temporary. Obviously there is a lot of accuracy needed here and you need to do the job well. Your insurer would probably not be happy about you driving with home made or bodged steering and I doubt they would cover you for it at all. If it comes to it, a brand new inner column is going to cost £40.00 delivered, they aren't a huge amount of money.
Aligning the rack with the new column is easy, just release the U bolt nuts slightly and rotate the rack until the pinion is aimed at the column. With the column bracket tight where you want it and the pinch bolt out you should be able to feel when it's properly aligned because the column will be an easy slilde fit onto the pinion. It will slide up and down nicely.
Is there no way you can get home to harvest the parts without this car? I really don't think it's worth the risk. Even with a new bolt, the bolt isn't meant to take the steering load. The screw fitted now won't have been taking the steering load for very long and you can see how far it has bent. You can see it hasn't been like that for long because it hasn't done much damage to the pinion where the thread has been dragged over it. It will only have been taking the load, and slipping and bending, for as long as you have noticed the slop in the steering. The rest of the damage to the original spline has happened over the course of the time since the drop bracket was fitted. That should tell you how quickly even a new bolt will last. It really isn't a good idea to bodge this. If you are good at machining or hand finishing parts you could chop away the worn section of spline socket and remake the end of the column higher up, with the required drilling for the bolt and the slot but you would have to get it right and it would only be temporary. Obviously there is a lot of accuracy needed here and you need to do the job well. Your insurer would probably not be happy about you driving with home made or bodged steering and I doubt they would cover you for it at all. If it comes to it, a brand new inner column is going to cost £40.00 delivered, they aren't a huge amount of money.
Aligning the rack with the new column is easy, just release the U bolt nuts slightly and rotate the rack until the pinion is aimed at the column. With the column bracket tight where you want it and the pinch bolt out you should be able to feel when it's properly aligned because the column will be an easy slilde fit onto the pinion. It will slide up and down nicely.
#20
dansalter
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Posted 02 November 2009 - 07:31 PM
ok, thanks for that.
i understand that it obviously isnt worth a bodge. i'm going to try to get a new one from the local mini place, just hope they can get it for thursday as i need to be back for the weekend they said they usualy have some second hand ones in but not at the moment.. shame. but this way i will know its new.
i'll make sure i re-aline it properly with the u bolts. and will use the right pinch bolt.
thanks alot for your help and time
Danny.
i understand that it obviously isnt worth a bodge. i'm going to try to get a new one from the local mini place, just hope they can get it for thursday as i need to be back for the weekend they said they usualy have some second hand ones in but not at the moment.. shame. but this way i will know its new.
i'll make sure i re-aline it properly with the u bolts. and will use the right pinch bolt.
thanks alot for your help and time
Danny.
#21
Min E
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Mini Mad
Posted 02 November 2009 - 07:41 PM
ok, thanks for that.
i understand that it obviously isnt worth a bodge. i'm going to try to get a new one from the local mini place, just hope they can get it for thursday as i need to be back for the weekend they said they usualy have some second hand ones in but not at the moment.. shame. but this way i will know its new.
i'll make sure i re-aline it properly with the u bolts. and will use the right pinch bolt.
thanks alot for your help and time
Danny.
Hi all.
I'd just like to add my thanks to all you guys for helping dan out with this.
Your expert advice is very much appreciated.
I'm going to try to get a new one sent out to Dan in the next day or so, if I can't then I'll be diving over with the second-hand one.
Dave. (Dan's dad) (Stuck in Birmingham while Dan's stuck in Swansea).
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