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Steering rack
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:41 pm
by jagnut66
Hi,
Having greased my steering rack thoroughly when I fitted new gaiters a little while ago (old ones leaking), I now find it a little too free..........
Is it possible to adjust / tighten up the steering rack to remove any excess play?
It didn't seem worn before I greased it, just a slight noise when off the ground and spun from side to side, I don't think I over did it with the grease................... 
.............
Many thanks,
Mike.
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 9:15 am
by bmcecosse
You can take out shims and tighten up the rack - but I can't say if it can be done with the rack still in the car. It's detailed in the Workshop Manual - if you don't have one, Google for it - it's available as a free download. Just how 'free' is the rack? It should be free!! Maybe you got used to it being tight??
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 11:00 am
by alexmcguffie
What are you using as your reference for steering weight, a modern car weighing 1.5 tons? Don't forget a Minor is half that weight and has quite a large diameter steering wheel.
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 1:40 pm
by Trickydicky
As Roy says you can adjust the shims on the damper pad. You can do it on the car but will need a large socket or spanner,
I think I used a 28mm spanner when I adjusted mine last year.
Its fiddly to do on the car but make sure the area around where you will be working is clean, you dont want any debris contaminating the rack. Also make sure the brass damper pad goes back in the way it came out otherwise when you remove a shim it may tighten up the rack too much. There is a groove in it where it sits against the rack.
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 8:43 pm
by jagnut66
Thanks for your comments, I'll take them on board, though for now I have a bigger headache, as my type 9 decided to throw it's toys out of the pram at the traffic lights on the way to work yesterday, it seized up! 
Clutch engages fine whilst the engine is running, good peddle pressure and it goes into gear or you think it does.............
as soon as I raise the clutch pedal it feels like the brakes are on (they're not) and if I lift it all the way the car stalls!!
So time to get the engine out again...... 
This will be the second time my type 9 has let me down, I'm beginning to think I'd have been better off refitting my original Moggy box to my 1275, clutch parts would have been cheaper for sure!!.................
I would miss the 5th gear on long runs though........................... or would I..............
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 9:13 pm
by bmcecosse
It would seem to be in 'two gears' at the same time. The Minor box with a 3.9 or even 3.7 (but expensive these days...) works very well indeed for much lower cost and a lot less hassle.
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 12:17 pm
by moggiethouable
Ref steering, the air pressure in the front tyres if overdone will give an over light feel too.
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 1:56 pm
by bmcecosse
Indeed - and so will +ve camber / insufficient castor, and excessive toe-in if present..
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 11:00 pm
by jagnut66
It would seem to be in 'two gears' at the same time.
I didn't know that kind of problem was possible, so I've just learnt something.
Thanks for all the comments on the steering rack, all taken on board.
Best wishes,
Mike.
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 11:42 pm
by bmcecosse
Obviously - it's not supposed to happen! There will be an interlocking mechanism to make sure it CANNOT happen...but... I know nothing of the type 9 - but there will surely be a way to access the selector rods directly (after removing gearlever/remote control etc) and then you can maybe see if anything has obviously broken or bent... Hopefully someone who knows about these boxes will be along shortly!
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 7:15 pm
by philthehill
Here is a link to problems with the type 9 gearbox.
http://www.type9gearbox.co.uk/type-9-fa ... blems.html
See the other sections for additional information on the type 9.
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 7:56 pm
by jagnut66
Thanks for the link. I had a fitted a sump drain to mine, which alleviates one maintenance issue mentioned.
Re: Steering rack
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 10:41 pm
by jagnut66
Abby is now parked up round the back, I shall pull the engine and box out sometime over the Christmas break, then we shall see..............