35 replies to this topic

[floormanager]

Okay, here's some pics.  Obviously the rack is off the car.  In terms of disclaimer, I'm not an expert but this was assembled from quite a bit of research, from those who have done the refurbishment off and on the car,  This was an old rack I bought to practice with.

 

Remove the steering boot and disconnect the trackrod from the steering arm.. Remove tackrod end, counting turns etc., so you can get it back in more or less the right place.

 

Under the car, remove this little screw - it holds the bush in place and if oil filled, be prepared for oil loss.

 Screw.JPG   38.23K   0 downloads

 

Once the screw is removed you need to undo the trackrod where it joins the car.  This is a later type with no locking ring.  You can do this with a pair of pipe grips or, I've bought a U clamp thing from ebay for £12.

 grips.JPG   27.23K   0 downloads

 clamp.jpg   53.24K   0 downloads

 

Once undone (it is locked onto the rack with a punch mark), remove and wind the rack over to the driver's side (UK).

 

This will expose the bush in the rack.

 bush.jpg   29.91K   0 downloads

 

Now time to remove the bush and it's housing.  Some have managed to use self-tapper screws, others have a made a tool to go on a slide hammer.  I used an internal bearing puller.

 puller.jpg   33.4K   0 downloads

With that the bush is out!  Like I said, minispares sell only the internal plastic bush, Somerfords sell the internal and the bush housing.  I got mine from the latter.  Continued on next post.

 

 

 

 

[floormanager]

Here's a pick of the rack, old bush and the washer that sits behind the bush

 washer.jpg   45.7K   2 downloads

 

Here's a pic of the old and new bush

 2 bushes.jpg   23.35K   1 downloads

 

Note the hole you see in the old bush is where the screw goes through the rack to hold it in place.  You can either use the old housing or a new one and re-drill the hole when re-fitted.

The bush is refitted with the rolled end of the housing towards the wheel.  Once fitted, re-drill and re-fit the locking screw. 

 new bush.jpg   31.17K   0 downloads

 

Then carefully wind the rack through the new bush and out of the rack.  Refit the trackrod, adding loctite and centre-punching it onto the rack

 Steering arm 1.JPG   39.21K   0 downloads

 

Now it's a case of refitting the remaining parts and getting the oil back in the rack (people say about 200ml).  There's a plug on top of the rack as well as trying to squirt it from the opening of the passenger side.

 

Like I said, it would be better to change the rack but you can just replace the bush to overcome the movement.  Please decide yourself what way you want to go.

 

 

[nicklouse]

Spiders How to on rebuilding a rack https://www.theminif...l-uk-type-mkii/

[AlasdairM]

I’m doing the job now, and have realised that the old rack looks too bad to repair, so I’m going for the replace after all.
My rack looks like it will fit out without lowering the subframe though. Could this be possible? Or is it an optimistic optical illusion?

[nicklouse]

I’m doing the job now, and have realised that the old rack looks too bad to repair, so I’m going for the replace after all.
My rack looks like it will fit out without lowering the subframe though. Could this be possible? Or is it an optimistic optical illusion?

It will not come out without lowering. 
 

like I said lower it more than you think.

[AlasdairM]

Thanks Nick.

Yeah I soon realised I need to drop.

I’ve removed the u bolts, the interior bolts, the track rod ends, and got the car all jacked up.

Hopefully tomorrow night I’ll get the subframe dropped, and the new one to slot in! Such a fiddly job!

I’m a bit worried about my carb fouling on the bulkhead. I might need to take off the manifold 😭

[AlasdairM]

Thanks to all for their advice. 

 

I ended up following the instructions on https://www.theminif...-steering-rack/ this thread by SPIGUY. As you can see from the attached pic of the old rack, it looked like the best option was just to replace it. I still have the bushes to repair it though, would anyone buy if I repaired and cleaned up?

 

It took two nights, and I managed on the street by myself (with a lot of persuasion!). 

 

 

The car subsequently passed the MOT, however driving home from the MOT station, there is now a clunk when I change gear (or more precisely, when I come off the throttle quickly in 2nd gear for example). The clunk is clearly the engine moving and hitting something. 

 

I know about the top engine steady, but are there any other locations which I can replace bushes or prevent the engine from moving so much? 

 

TIA, Alasdair

Attached Files

•  IMG_2354.jpg   112.64K   1 downloads

[cal844]

Make sure the engine steadies and subframe bolts are tight

[AlasdairM]

Make sure the engine steadies and subframe bolts are tight

is there just the one at the top as standard?

[Spherix]

Sounds like something wasnt tightened or broke while loosening the subframe to give the rack removal clearance. Retrace your steps.

[Maccmike8]

Thanks to all for their advice. 

 

I ended up following the instructions on https://www.theminif...-steering-rack/ this thread by SPIGUY. As you can see from the attached pic of the old rack, it looked like the best option was just to replace it. I still have the bushes to repair it though, would anyone buy if I repaired and cleaned up?

 

It took two nights, and I managed on the street by myself (with a lot of persuasion!). 

 

 

The car subsequently passed the MOT, however driving home from the MOT station, there is now a clunk when I change gear (or more precisely, when I come off the throttle quickly in 2nd gear for example). The clunk is clearly the engine moving and hitting something. 

 

I know about the top engine steady, but are there any other locations which I can replace bushes or prevent the engine from moving so much? 

 

TIA, Alasdair

 

Either something loose, worn engine mount/steady or in need of additional engine steady.

I renewed all of my bushes but felt there was still unwanted movement, added in a cheap thermostat steady and its absolutely spot on. And no leaks.

[AlasdairM]

So, when I rock the rocker cover back and forth, there is a clunking noise from lower down. I think this is the exhaust hitting something. 

 

When I jacked the car up from the front tie rod mount, this is what I saw under the drivers side....

 

 IMG_2399.jpg   70.64K   6 downloads

 

So I'll order 2 new rear subframe mountings... I think that one has seen better days! 

 

I also realised there is a lot of play in this lower stabiliser..

 

 IMG_2402.jpg   84.52K   4 downloads

 

Is the correct set of bushes http://www.minispare...c/C-STR633.aspx

 ?

 

Also, are there any other bushes/mounts I should change whilst I'm doing this job? I'm getting a bit sick of the mini being un-drivable! I should note that I already have poly bushes in the upper engine steady. There is no play coming from there.

 

Thanks

Edited by AlasdairM, 22 May 2021 - 04:50 PM.

[nicklouse]

The bottom ones don’t really do much. If the engine is rocking you have issues on the top mount.

[AlasdairM]

Yeah I’m thinking of getting one of the mounts which attach to the thermostat housing...

[Maccmike8]

I got mine from Minimine but it took a lot of modification for me to be happy with the fit. Now its on Im happy with it.