Help with steering column please
Turbo Mini Forums

I fitted a new steering rack (awful job) and then fitted a new column. The problem is I now have 2.5 turns to lock to left and 1.75 turns to lock to right. Anyone give me a clue what I've done wrong? The Hayens manual is 'crap' on this subject.

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt... Then it's hilarious!

the rack needs centralising.

““A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.”” - Jeremy Clarkson

Any chnace you could post an 'idiots guide' on how to centralise the rack? I've never done it before.

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt... Then it's hilarious!

undo steering columb from rack, then ensure the wheels are pointing straight ahead, provided you have'nt got on track rod end wound all the way in and the other out you should be fine....

JF

Thanks.

The track rod ends seem about equal (equal thread visible from each end). I thought I'd centralised the rack when I fitted the column (although the road wheels were off the floor). I'll have another go with the wheels on the ground. Haynes goes on about some centralising pin through a locating hole but I cant see that anywhere.

Lock from centre I quoted earlier is wrong. It's 1.25 in one direction and 1.75 in the other.

My engine is out so no diffs fitted at this point. I assume this will make no difference?

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt... Then it's hilarious!

The Haynes manual shows pictures of where the centralising pin should be inserted. Read it carefully, its very easy.
Paul

I seriously doubt it!

How can the rack be in the wrong place, the hole the column has to go through isnt that big or can this slight distance out result in it being so wrong?

no no, on the lhs og the rack there is sometimes a centralising hole. You can pot a pin in the hole and thne line everything up knowing that the rack is in the central position.

As it happens my rack has no such hole.

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

Wil-h is right and that is what has been worrying me. My rack has no hole on the left hand side to centralise it with the locating pin, in fact there is a rubber shroud visible there.

I've just been and loosened the whole lot up and moved the rack in one direction as far as it goes. Then I tightend it up and its now 1.25 turns in one direction and 1.5 turns in the other (from centre).

The spline (that the column fits on) can only move about 10mm in either direction so its either got minimal adjustment or its nothing to worry about. Maybe it'll all correct out when I get the tracking adjusted.

Thanks for your suggestions guys.

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt... Then it's hilarious!

Wil, have you had a pint or two tonight, lol

Edited by Sprocket on 21st Apr, 2007.

Hi,
I'm going to say, I think the pinion has been fitted to the rack incorrectly. The column will have no bearing on this problem.
Cheers,
Gavin :)

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Bat - can you tell me how can I check it please? If I have to have the rack out I'll go mad!!

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt... Then it's hilarious!

Hi,
That's the problem, it would be a rack out job.
I don't know how as it should have been done right when the rack was repaired.
I'm only chipping in my two pence here I'm not 100% on this but if you disconnect the column it'll spin 20 turns either way, so that can't be your problem.
I think if you took the pinion out, centralised the rack and the pinion, then reassemble it should be right.
I imagine the pinion has stops either end.
Cheers,
Gavin :)

VEMs Authorised Installer / Re-seller. K head kits now available!

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My Mini build diary

Hm - OK. The rack is brand new and came as an assembled unit and so is the column. The rack took me ages to put in so I'm reluctant to play with it until I'm sure it has a problem. I'd assumed after putting all the effort in it would be simple to centralise and install the column. I wasn't expecting this problem so I can only assume it will be OK once set up properly with correct wheel tracking and alignment.

The problem for me is that once the lump is in everything will be much more difficult to get at. My other mini has 1.5 turns from centre to lock - thats what is bothering me.

I still suspect the tracking could solve it so hopefully someone else may give me a clue on this.

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt... Then it's hilarious!

On 21st of Apr, 2007 at 09:06pm Mini Sprocket said:
Wil, have you had a pint or two tonight, lol

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph