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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Rack and pinion repair kit (Australia)

Has anyone bought the 29 piece Rack Internal Kit MGB SKU:030172 that Heritage Spares have on their web site http://www.mgspareparts.com.au/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&category_id=94&product_id=1857&Itemid=26. Mine has play in the bush at the end of the rack, is it worth rebuilding a rack or buying new. If new, any recommendations suppliers etc in Aus.
Steven Koster

26 piece sorry
Steven Koster

I replaced the passenger-end bush on a Mini many years ago and that was a real pain. The fitting securing the track-rod to the end of the rack and setting its stiction to articulation was a very fine intermittent thread and very easy to cross. After two or three attempts it crossed and just jammed solid. Fortunately we had access to another rack to make up a good one out of parts from both.

When the rack weaks it does so in the straight-ahead position, and once that happens it is scrap. You should be very careful to ensure that wear isn't present before embarking on a rebuild, I would say, rather than a replacement.
P Hunt

I fitted the new Moss rack. This is made in Argentina. It has the chrome bumper ratio for both the rubber bumper and chrome bumper versions. This is why I got one. I prefer the chrome bumper steering ration of about 2.7 instead of the rubber bumper 3.5. Quicker steering . Very happy with it.
Some people complained that it was too stiff. Check it out on the shop counter, if you can turn the shaft by hand (without a steering wheel) it will be just fine. Like I said, didn't have a problem.
P.N. Sherman

Thanks for the replies, I spoke to Heritage Spares about the kit, it is a genuine kit that has all the bushes etc, my BGT is used as my everyday transport and has been converted to 3.5L V8 so I was concerned that the repro racks might not hold up. I'm pulling my rack out to check the rack and pinion for wear in the next couple of days, will keep you informed. Steven
Steven Koster

Finally pulled the rack and pinion out today, both tie rod rubbers torn, both rack boots ripped at the small end (probably 6-7years old) with a small amount of oil still in housing. Pulled the pinion out and gave it a degrease, me thinks its shot, see photos. Haven't taken the rack out the housing yet but going by the condition of the pinion might be wasting my time with trying to rebuild.


Steven Koster

2nd picture.


Steven Koster

That looks like really bad corrosion, or grit infestation. I was only looking at reconditioned racks this morning, wonder how they would deal with that! Metal spraying and remachining, perhaps.
P Hunt

That looks like it is way past its serviceable life. RAY
rjm RAY

What exactly is included in the kit? There is no information on their site, only a price.
Steve Simmons

Hi Steven,

I've just come back from my parts supplier and I had queried him about steering racks, as he has them in his catalogue for $295. He told me that he no longer supplies them and to be very careful as they are all made in Argentina, and nowhere else. He has had one fail several years ago with ALL the teeth stripped! Since then he has stopped selling them.
The way to tell this type of rack is that when installed it "cogs" when trying to turn the wheel.

Herb
Herb Adler

Hello Herb,

This is why it confuses me, we have a supplier that refuses to sell repro racks and people who have bought them and are happy with them, not only from this site. Heritage Spares want around $770 incl GST for a genuine rack. If genuine racks are still being made you would think that you could buy a pinion but I was told NLA? Thought I had found a good second hand pinion today till I laid mine beside it and saw that it was about 50mm short, my pinion is 605mm long. My car was converted to V8 in the early 90s so I would say it has a RB rack.
Steve all I know it is a genuine kit with bushes etc, I didn't enquire further when I saw the condition of my pinion.

Steven
Steven Koster

£50 exchange reconditioned in the UK, and from a source I completely trust http://mgv8.homestead.com/steering.html. Not much help to you foreigners though, I don't think I could get one in my luggage next week when I travel to Oz. He does regularly ship abroad though, maybe you could negotiate a non-exchange deal for less than the prices you have been quoted.
P Hunt

Paul
Contacted your source they only do V8 racks, still looking.
Steven
Steven Koster

All rubber bumper cars used the same rack, 4-cylinder chrome rack here for £54:
http://www.leacymg.co.uk/index.php?product_id=539185&option=Prod_detail&category_id=88209
P Hunt

MGB Hive offers a recon rack for £44.50 and a new one for £125. See if they will ship overseas
Iain MacKintosh

Found a company in Australia that had some original S/H racks. They have the genuine kit that Heritage Spares were selling, will supply and reco a rack and also supply 2 x tie rod ends for $440, I thought about importing but think this will be a lot easier. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Regards
Steven

http://www.mgaustralia.net.au/
Steven Koster

I have one of the Argentine racks. Installed years ago with no problem. I don't think they are as good as the original but adequate. I did remove the grease (as much as I could) and replaced it with 90W gear oil. Now I hear just stay with the grease.
Robert McCoy

This thread was discussed between 26/12/2009 and 08/02/2010

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.