Steering rack additional damper

[Bill_qaz]

Did this ever become standard and if so when?
[attachment=0]Screenshot_20240821-174843_Microsoft 365

[les]

It’s known as the secondary damper. The manual explains how to add this damper, it involves drilling an existing bossed area the other end of the rack. However this is standard now, I don’t know when it became so. I had to get one of the dampers made as I couldn’t buy that particular one, I can’t recall off hand which one it was.

[Bill_qaz]

It’s known as the secondary damper. The manual explains how to add this damper, it involves drilling an existing bossed area the other end of the rack. However this is standard now, I don’t know when it became so. I had to get one of the dampers made as I couldn’t buy that particular one, I can’t recall off hand which one it was.

Yes I understand Les as the picture is from the manual I have a copy of.
I was trying to establish what year, I will have to look if mine has it as I have the dreaded nearside rattle on bumps and can se no other cause.
If fitted does the pad wear, is that why you were replacing?
ESM list one

Screenshot_20240821-192835_Samsung Internet.jpg (39.94 KiB) Viewed 6786 times

[les]

Bill, Sorry I can’t help with the year, yes the dampers do wear and as you suggest I replaced mine because of wear, usually in the form of a semi circular groove where it contacts the rack.

[philthehill]

Another cause for rattles at the end of the steering rack is wear to the knuckle.
The knuckle can be adjusted to compensate for wear by adjusting the thickness of the shims.

[Bill_qaz]

Phil If it's the shims, will I be able to feel free movement in the tie rod?
Still trying to locate the rattle before any dismantling which will be in winter when not in use.

[philthehill]

You may be able to feel some play - but to confirm - if you disconnect the track rod end from the steering arm and if the shims/play is correct the steering arm should just about ease down due to its own weight. If it falls quickly the knuckle needs to be adjusted.
I had to do this adjustment on my Minor and it cured a knock on bump steer.

[Bill_qaz]

Thanks Phil, can this be done with the rack in situ or dies it have to be removed. Are the special tools listed in manual required or is there a work around. Or can I fabricate a tool.

[philthehill]

Checking the knuckle can be done with the rack in situ but I had to remove the rack to replace/adjust the knuckle.
I did the job without any special tools - just did a work around using the tools I had.

[myoldjalopy]

Is wear in the steering rack an MOT issue?

[Bill_qaz]

Thanks for the info Phil

[Bill_qaz]

Is wear in the steering rack an MOT issue?

I dont have or need an MoT but neither do I have excessive play in the steering, just an annoying rattle from nsf on bumps.

[Chipper]

Mine also rattles a little, and there's steering wheel shake at 50+mph. Jacking up the front end to check this, there is some slight play detectable when waggling each wheel side-to-side, but not up/down, which leads me to assume it's possibly wear in the steering rack/inner drumstick...

[myoldjalopy]

Is wear in the steering rack an MOT issue?

I dont have or need an MoT but neither do I have excessive play in the steering, just an annoying rattle from nsf on bumps.

That may be the case, Bill, but it doesn't answer my question, which was generic and not specific to your vehicle. Anyone else?

[les]

I would say yes, as steering determines the direction of the vehicle, which is quite important. Probably not for a rattle. However for a definitive answer, check out an Mot station.

[myoldjalopy]

Yes, that makes sense, Les. If the wear is so bad that the steering is affected then an MOT fail, but maybe an advisory for just a rattle...

[Bill_qaz]

Is wear in the steering rack an MOT issue?

I dont have or need an MoT but neither do I have excessive play in the steering, just an annoying rattle from nsf on bumps.

That may be the case, Bill, but it doesn't answer my question, which was generic and not specific to your vehicle. Anyone else?

Sorry I thought you were specifically asking about my car.
I'm sure there must be guidance on free play at the steering wheel. Older worm and peg boxes have more than the minors rack and pinion but are often adjustable.
The answer to your question is here
https://www.motexpert.org/blog/know-mor ... 0perimeter.

Quote: Free play can be examined by turning the steering wheel left and right as far as possible without moving the road wheels, with the road wheels on the ground pointing straight ahead. Check the amount of free play around the steering wheel's perimeter. Play induced by wear or maladjustment should not be confused with apparent play generated by the mechanism's design; this is caused by flexible joint deflection or spring compression in external power steering systems. The steering wheel free play limit is a general guideline (380mm). With bigger or smaller diameter steering wheels, lower or higher restrictions should be established. The steering wheel's rim moves for more than 75mm for non-rack, and pinion steering or 13mm for the rack and pinion steering might be a reason for rejection.

[myoldjalopy]

Thank you, that is helpful. So a rattle on its own is unlikely to be a fail, but too much free play at the steering wheel will be an MOT problem....