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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Steering problems

I recently stripped down my o/s stub assembly as it was partially seized. On re-assembling I found that my MG midget 1500 wasn't getting full lock only on the the o/s. The problem appears to be either the rack or are the track rod ends handed? By this I mean are they different in length or do you think that a previous owner has tampered with the rack alignment?
G Scott

Gary (?)

The TREs should be screwed onto the track rods by equal amounts each side and then adjusted for toe-in

The TREs are generally identical within model ranges

There were two different steering racks that I know of, but I understand they have different threads so wouldnt be intermixed.

You might be advised to have the rack checked and the TREs removed and refitted with the right amount of inset

I hope this will help you, we'll do as much as we can if you get stuck


bill sdgpm

So the problem may be in the rack itself. I just wondered if the column had been removed can this cause the gearing within the rack to be out of line.
G Scott

Sounds like the tracking has been set at some time by doing all of the adjustment on one side only so that your straight ahead steering is no longer on the centre of the rack. Or possibly someone in the past has tried a "bodge" fix of a worn rack.

The rack / pinion mesh does tend to wear most at the dead ahead position as this is where the steering is most of the time. Maybe someone has attempted to get more life out of a worn rack by unequal adjustment of the TREs so that the dead ahead position is on a new (off-centre) bit of rack. Naughty!

You need to remove both TREs from their track rods, centre the steering and the rack so that both of the track rods protrude by the same amount, and then screw the TREs on by equal number of turns, setting the tracking in the process. You may then need to re-position the steering wheel correctly.

This may throw up a worn rack - if that was the reason for the wrong positioning in the first place. In which case and exchange rack is what you will need - they are not excessively expensive.

Guy
Guy Weller

This thread was discussed on 06/06/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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