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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - steering rack

help please,

Just been looking at the trackrods on my 1500 midget steering rack, both trackrods have a 'crank' or bend just behind the ball. Surely thats not normal is it? I just wonder as they are both the same. I would have thought they should be straight?
pr smith

You mean like this?...


Dave O'Neill 2

No, i know those as a track rod end, they screw onto the track rod, its the other end of the track rod (inside the rubber boot)
pr smith

got pics...Id like to see that,

I wonder if someone twsted them getting them to "Break free" at some point..Id thought that would snap the rod off

Prop
Prop

It's not just a flat either side of the rod is it? Mine have flats so that a suitable open jawed spanner can be used when removing the TREs.

Graeme
graeme jackson

ive taken 2 pictures, i hope they show what im saying. thinking about it to adjust the tracking you screw the rod into the TRE so they must have to be straight. pic 2 shows some damage marks. I can only assume the steering has been on full lock and then hit a kerb. the damage marks would be where the rod has hit the 'cup'.
Any comments or thoughts?


pr smith

pic 2


pr smith

Looks normal to me... need to have room for recess for the gaitor retaining spring; plus means the ball-joint is centred with the track-rod shaft...

A
Anthony Cutler

Yes they should be straight, and they do look bent. Rolling them across a flat surface show show it up well. The big worry is that cracks might start at the bend/nick point.

FRM
Fletcher R Millmore

Oops. Delayed my post and didn't see your 2 later posts; agree with FRM.

A
Anthony Cutler

I had the same thing when I obtained a reconditioned rack about 10 years ago. I assumed that the rack had been in a crash, and sent it back. I received another that was straight.


Dave
Dave Barrow

This thread was discussed between 19/08/2010 and 20/08/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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