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MG MGA - stiff steering rack

Hi My steering is stiff. I removed ball joints and universal joint to steering wheel and I can hardly turn steering shaft by hand. Any way to take rack a part and clean it, or see what is what?
Martin
m zazvorka

I am no expert on this but my first thought would be to add some oil and see if it gets ant better.

Kris
Kris Sorensen

The rubber gaiters must be sealed, and the rack should be filled with about six ounces of gear oil. As it turns from lock to lock you should hear the oil gurgling through the boots. If the boots are broken the oil will be lost and dirt can get inside, which can cause abnormal wear and may cause binding.

Try loosening two damper caps on top of the rack housing. If these parts were assembles with insufficient adjustment shims they can make the rack bind.

It is fairly common that someone has previously put grease in the rack rather than oil. If grease can dry in place over time it can make the rack motion stiff.

To disassemble the rack in place, loosen small clamps on rubber boots, unscrew tie rods from tie rod ends, remove rubber boots, and unscrew one inner ball joint from end of rack. Remove two damper caps and spring loaded brass damper plungers front top of rack. Remove retainer cap from front side of rack and withdraw the pinion gear and shaft from the front. Withdraw the rack from the housing. You can then swab the bore of the housing for internal cleaning.
Barney Gaylord

Disconnect the U joint first. They can be rusted or out of alignment.
Art Pearse

I just did my rack this winter. There was grease in it and it was very stiff to turn even with the entire load off the wheels. I took off the pinion bearing cap and the damper caps and kept adding oil and working the rack back and forth until most of the grease was dissolved and ran out. Then I topped up the oil and the rack is now quite smooth and light.

I think it is important to ensure that the clamp on the shaft under the dash is set to the correct position as this can put pressure on the steering shaft and cause binding in the rack. I also had this problem. Try loosening both shaft mounts and then check for binding.

Finally had the car out on the weekend.
Dave
David M Evans

Hi all and thank you for yours comments. I did not mentioned that the car was not run for some time. After dismantling, not only it was full of grease, but the input shaft was rusted in. No grease and no seals left. The upper zerk was never greased. No wonder it was stiff. Now I will be looking for replacement so if someone has input shaft and housing to spare......other damage is not important.

Martin
m zazvorka

Martin, Did you get a rack or get squared away? I have a used rack that I replaced when converting to RHD that I would part with reasonably. I also have a fully reconditioned original that would be more costly. It looks like shipping estimates to BC would add $35 to $40 USD. Contact me direct if interested....Dennis
Dennis Suski

This thread was discussed between 14/03/2009 and 31/03/2009

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