10 replies to this topic

[noeman]

One of the MOT advisories from before I bought my mini was 'Play in steering rack inner joints.
I want to get this sorted before it's next MOT but I'm not sure what parts they are referring to?

Thank you for any help.

[nicklouse]

to be honest just replace the rack. as the Track rods are not readily available. 

[Boycie]

It's also quite likely to be the (internal) nylon guide bush/ bearing, on the left hand side of the rack giving the impression of play on that side.  They wear out pretty quickly and make an annoying knocking noise.

[absx2]

I have replaced a couple of racks this year and had issues with a brand new rack supplied by Minisport. The other was OK but it was a genuine Rover part I had in stock.

I have also replaced the nylon bush as I had the annoying knocking noise which was a quick and easy job, unfortunately not many racks are fully serviceable these days but if you are lucky yours might be and its better the devil you know some times.

Moke Spider posted an excellent how to and hopefully here`s the link   

http://www.theminifo...l-uk-type-mkii/

[noeman]

Thank you for your replies.

Is it an easy job to replace the nylon bush whilst the rack is still on? I found that minispares sell the bush, but I can't find how to do the job, not even in 'moke spider's' how to guide can I see it. Is it on the passenger side only?

Or is it easier just to replace the whole rack? There seems to be quite a lot of info on how to do that in other posts and the haynes manual.

[Spider]

Is it an easy job to replace the nylon bush whilst the rack is still on?

 

There are a few methods of butcher by which that can be done, but my advice, especially as it's Steering is to do it correctly and remove the rack from the Car. It's not a hard job to remove or replace the rack, but will take a few hours to a day if you've not done one before.

 

 but I can't find how to do the job, not even in 'moke spider's' how to guide can I see it. Is it on the passenger side only?

 

Post No. 5 covers removal.

Post No. 8 covers refitting.

 

There's only the one and that's on the Passenger's side.

[noeman]

Sorry I was tired when reading your how to post moke spider. Yes it is definitely there how to remove the bush ?. I must say how detailed it is too, excellent.

I just have visions of removing the whole rack to replace the bush, putting it back and the play is still there. And ending up taking it all off again to fit a new rack. That's why I wondered if it could be done whilst on the car still.

But you are right, it needs to be done properly as for safety reasons.

[Spider]

I just have visions of removing the whole rack to replace the bush, putting it back and the play is still there. And ending up taking it all off again to fit a new rack. That's why I wondered if it could be done whilst on the car still.

 

Thank you for your kind words.

 

Honestly, it is one of those components that you will know upon reassembly if it's going top be OK or not before re-fitting, but you most likely won't know until the rack is mostly re-assembled.

 

If you're unsure of doing the job, then much as I'd like to encourage you to give it a go, this is not something to take chances with, but it is a very easy and straight forward job, not complicated at all.

[cal844]

Just get a reconditioned rack, my local parts suppliers does them for a reasonable fee. The hardest part is getting the subframe and engine down far enough

[paulrockliffe]

Just get a reconditioned rack, my local parts suppliers does them for a reasonable fee. The hardest part is getting the subframe and engine down far enough

 

I've done one rack in the past, the way I removed it was to cut a scaffold board in half, put one half under the front of the cabin, jack it up and put it on bricks, then put the other half under the engine sump and hold it in place with jacks.  Remove the subframe bolts that attach it to the car, then the tower bolts and lower the subframe with the jacks, it didn't need loads from what I remember.

 

If I did it again I'd probably swap the tower bolts for sleeved threaded bar just to make it easier to re-fit the frame, but mine is a twin-bolt frame.

 

Absolute arse of a job really!

[cal844]

Just get a reconditioned rack, my local parts suppliers does them for a reasonable fee. The hardest part is getting the subframe and engine down far enough

I've done one rack in the past, the way I removed it was to cut a scaffold board in half, put one half under the front of the cabin, jack it up and put it on bricks, then put the other half under the engine sump and hold it in place with jacks. Remove the subframe bolts that attach it to the car, then the tower bolts and lower the subframe with the jacks, it didn't need loads from what I remember.

If I did it again I'd probably swap the tower bolts for sleeved threaded bar just to make it easier to re-fit the frame, but mine is a twin-bolt frame.

Absolute arse of a job really!

I agree with it being a pig of a job. The way we done it was to drive the car onto bricks, then with a transport harness strap lift the front so we could slide the bricks back, then we unbolted the subframe and engine as an assembly from the shell and dropped it to the floor