Steering problem?

[stag36587]

Hello

As the sun is out today I finally managed to get back into my garage for a final clearout before I start working on my minor again - after several months break for moving house, getting married, etc.

I think I remember that when I removed the old rack, there were about 11-12 threads showing on the tie rod at either end but if I do the same on the new rack, one end is about an inch short of where I would need it to connect on the nearside.

Am I being totally stupid and missing something obvious? Is the replacement rack an inch too short?

Please put me out of my misery - any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks very much.

PS: Saw a nice Trafalgar Blue minor on a trailer yesterday on the M62 going towards Hull. Looked great and is inspiring me to get on and do more work on mine[frame][/frame]

[beero]

Here is a photo of mine from the same angle with the steering straight ahead. It does look like you have the wrong rack or the track rod end joints are shorter.[frame][/frame]

[MarkyB]

There isn't a particular number of threads that need to be visible.

Did you fit the steering column and wheel so you could centre the rack before you started?

If you turn the wheel in enough to fit the ball joint is the tracking massively wrong?

[stag36587]

Well today, I contacted the supplier and asked them to measure a similar steering rack - it came out roughly 39.25inches. I measured mine and it is approx 39.75 inches! It is still about 1 inch shorter than I would need it to be for the track rod ends to reach the steering arms.

Do these measurements look about right for the steering rack?

Is there anything else I can try?

[bmcecosse]

Your TRE looks quite short .

[beero]

That's what I thought from the photo. My track rod ends are 4" including the nut. If yours are 3 1/2" then there's your problem.

[stag36587]

I've just measured the track rod ends which I bought from ESM - exactly 3.5 inches without the locknut

[beero]

Sounds right then. Perhaps the new rack has more thread cut on the ends and you have the tre's screwed on more and that is putting you out??? I will measure my rack tomorrow if that helps you.

[stag36587]

Many thanks that would be helpful. You may be right that the new rack has more cut threads but I'm just worried that the TREs will be so far towards the end of the rack on each side.

[beero]

Rack is 39" + or - 1/2" . (Difficult to measure whilst in place.) Threaded bit is 1 3/4" and my tre's are screwed on about 1".
Don't forget, with the car jacked up the front wheels will appear to toe out. Set your toe in with full weight on the front (just in case you have your engine out at the moment! )

[stag36587]

Thanks very much for doing some measurements. I have now got everything as close/accurate as I can get it.
With TREs off, there is exactly 2.25 inches from the end of the steering rack to the middle of the steering arm eye on each side. Not too bad, just a bit less of a connection than I had hoped for!

[MarkyB]

My guess is that half an inch of thread would be the absolute minimum, after all the rod itself is about that.
3 or 4 threads and I'd be concerned.

[stag36587]

agreed - I think I can possibly get it to 3/4 inch on each side once everything is tightened up properly - I'd still like more though

[beero]

I wonder if a previous owner has added washers to the eyebolt to increase negative camber. This would push both the hubs outwards and could explain your problem.

[stag36587]

That's a good thought- I'll have a look - coincidentally, I was just looking at the various eyebolt washers available on ESM website.

By the way, I never understood quite why there are additional holes on teh bulkhead for the front dampers. Mine are attached to the outer holes which I think is normal?

[bmcecosse]

I've yet to hear a convincing argument for the reason for these extra holes!

[d_harris]

I thought it was so that the screw plate on the rear could be held in the correct place whilst the dampers were being bolted on...