6 replies to this topic

[JonnyAlpha]

Hi,

 

As part of an engine bay upgrade and engine bay clean up, I am going to refurbish my Steering Rack. 

This is a 1982 Mk4 HLE 1000.

 

I picked up some Rod Ends many moons ago and was going to get a fitting kit, but to be honest the U bolts are OK, so I just need new gaiters, plastic strips for the U Bolts and some new nuts. 

 

It does look like someone has replaced one of boots at some point, as it has a Jubilee Clip and not the original clip.

 

Couple of questions:

 

There are several size gaiters available - 4 1/2", 6 1/2" and 7 1/2", will the longer ones be beneficial or should I stick to the original size, whatever they are?  

These are the long ones:

 

MiniSpares 7 1/2" Gaiters

 

I would like to replace the Rod End Locking Nuts, but they don't appear in the parts catalogue, can you get them?

 

Any other serviceable parts?

 

Should I completely strip it e.g. remove the rack? Or just oil it up? Before I removed it from the car, the car has been driving with no noticeable issues (apart from a rubbing sound when turning sharply, such as parking, which I think is the steering column bushes)

 

I have given it a basic clean up and here are couple of before and after pics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[nicklouse]

Not easy to get service parts and it is actually more cost effective to just replace it.

 

there is a How To in the FAQS done by spider.

[JonnyAlpha]

Not easy to get service parts and it is actually more cost effective to just replace it.

there is a How To in the FAQS done by spider.

Thanks, I might just clean it up, give a paint and oil it. What about the gaiters?

[stuart bowes]

more cost effective to just replace it.

 

that surprised me and I had to have a look 

 

http://www.minispare...g rack RHD.aspx

 

think you might be right there, probably I'm just used to the cost of power steering racks . but are those ones of sufficient quality?

 

also my question (because I'll be needing to buy one) would be, is the quick rack worth it for fast road / country lane driving, or does it make the steering heavier and too twitchy for road use (standard width 12" wheels)

Edited by stuart bowes, 31 August 2022 - 09:45 PM.

[nicklouse]

 

more cost effective to just replace it.

 

that surprised me and I had to have a look 

 

http://www.minispare...g rack RHD.aspx

 

think you might be right there, probably I'm just used to the cost of power steering racks . but are those ones of sufficient quality?

 

also my question (because I'll be needing to buy one) would be, is the quick rack worth it for fast road / country lane driving, or does it make the steering heavier and too twitchy for road use

 

If you can actually find any for sale https://oldskoolmini...-morris-cooper/

even Swifttune no longer have their race ones on their site and that was about £100 for a pair.

 

quick racks. Just make everything harder and it’s not like a standard one is slow.

[stuart bowes]

I suspected that might be the case

 

it's just I saw it as an option and thought hmm seeing as I'm getting a new one.  probs just get a normal one then eh

[Lplus]

If there's no play in the rack and LH end  bush or the end ball and sockets, I'd just stick two new 4.5 in gaiters on it and put it back.  The new racks have the 7.5 in gaiters which seems lot more fragile.