Steering rack ball joint adjustment

[mowogg]

I have a spare steering rack which I would like to install on my car, as this one fitted is fairly tired. One of the ball joints has a little play on the end -the manual says this is adjustable with a service tool 18g 312 and the removal of shims. Is there a way around this using this tool which i do not have? -it looks like it must fit over the slots around the case of the ball housing.

Thanks in advance

John

[MarkyB]

Is it actual play, if so how much?
If there is no oil on squirt a bit in and try again.
Racks live a pretty sheltered life, cushy even, if they get lubricated once in a while.

[mowogg]

I can feel the play in teh joint -it clicks with the slight movement. I suspect it only needs shim removing to fix the problem.

Re teh rack -someone has greased it in the past rather than oil. As long as evrything else is ok, i plant to degrease and put oil back in

[bmcecosse]

If you have a good vice - and a stilson wrench you can get it apart to remove shims. Protect the metal by wrapping some emery tape around where the stilsons will be applied - and pad the jaws of the vice where you hold the rack. I prefer grease in the rack - it doesn't all run away and hide in the boots!

[MarkyB]

I doubt it runs far from the site of the grease nipple then, you cant have it all ways.
Oil can't "hide" when the steering is turned as the space in the gaiter

Quite a while ago there was a thread about someone who was having major trouble getting these apart as I think some bits have been peened, or hammered into place.

If some oil stops it clicking, I'd leave well alone.

[klm]

Hi mowogg,

Few months back I tried to open the ball joints by installing on a lathe to obtain a good grip and applying a force much greater than that can be applied from the BMC recommended tools. All my attempts to separate the joints failed and I had to finally purchase New Old Stock ball joints made by Quinton Hazell. I believe the end cap and the domed part are peened at the joint but not certain. I still welcome suggestions if anyone knows the secret to open the steering ball joints.

See the link: http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... ball+joint

klm

[bmcecosse]

Yes - they are peened.

[mowogg]

I hav given up -the joint clearly does not want to be seperatd. I used the best of two from the rack i removed from the car, and it is all back together now

[MarkyB]

Sounds fine, keep it well lubricated and it will last for another 40 years or so.

[T100SS]

Re peening. I think I can confirm this practise and while I understand why it might be done I'm not sure I know of any remedy. I have had large stilsons on the (inner) ball joint and I either lift the bench or pull it over depending on which way I exert force (I did wonder if I was simply tightening an LH thread:).

The remarks regarding a recon bring a kind of relief to my aching joints (dragged out the kingpins and rack yesterday) and despite the considerably higher cost of a rack (125ish) over the part (shim - probably a few quid though it should be pence) the aggravation that peculiar assembly practise can cause would only be worth it if recons or new parts were not available.

As there is no oil in the rack, I shall try filling it before I take any further action but the nuisance value of having to repeat this work wrinkles my nose with distrust. Not to mention the temptation of a rack on ebay for 60 quid. If it's firm I'll have it.

Incidentally, I had the car tracked 12 months ago as tyre wear was uneven. At the time I was told I needed new gaiters. Can't remember where I got them, but merely a year later they are perished.

Having been advised post MOT that there is a track rod end and wheel bearing to fettle, I did the work and took it for tracking as a precaution. This is partly as I thought there was play in the rack and or new bearing. It was my local Hi Q (now called summat else) who discovered top trunnions flapping about.

To be honest, taper bearings will be fitted eventually as I managed to separate a new bearing from the outer race too easily (I pressed it back) and there is still play.

[Ratbag]

Re peening. I think I can confirm this practise and while I understand why it might be done I'm not sure I know of any remedy. I have had large stilsons on the (inner) ball joint and I either lift the bench or pull it over depending on which way I exert force (I did wonder if I was simply tightening an LH thread:).

The remarks regarding a recon bring a kind of relief to my aching joints (dragged out the kingpins and rack yesterday) and despite the considerably higher cost of a rack (125ish) over the part (shim - probably a few quid though it should be pence) the aggravation that peculiar assembly practise can cause would only be worth it if recons or new parts were not available.

As there is no oil in the rack, I shall try filling it before I take any further action but the nuisance value of having to repeat this work wrinkles my nose with distrust. Not to mention the temptation of a rack on ebay for 60 quid. If it's firm I'll have it.

Incidentally, I had the car tracked 12 months ago as tyre wear was uneven. At the time I was told I needed new gaiters. Can't remember where I got them, but merely a year later they are perished.

Having been advised post MOT that there is a track rod end and wheel bearing to fettle, I did the work and took it for tracking as a precaution. This is partly as I thought there was play in the rack and or new bearing. It was my local Hi Q (now called summat else) who discovered top trunnions flapping about.

To be honest, taper bearings will be fitted eventually as I managed to separate a new bearing from the outer race too easily (I pressed it back) and there is still play.

Just got a recon rack here:

http://www.morrisminorspareparts.co.uk/ ... /ssb02.htm

Cheaper than most , plus local for me so no 2X postage.
Went in OK - seems OK so far.

Phil.

[bmcecosse]

Gasp..........

[Ratbag]

Gasp..........

I did give the rack quite a thorough 'once over' prior to installation - boots off etc., and all seems as it should be, nice & stiff but not too tight. All new bits. Thick boots.
Time will tell.
Workshop seemed busy but tidy too (Sat AM), lots of nice shiny Moggies of all types at various stages.

Phil.

[bmcecosse]

Can certainly see the advantage of not having to pay postage both ways. They probably sub-contract steering rack etc overhauls.......

[Ratbag]

Still OK...

[bmcecosse]

Good......