Play in steering

T. Rutlands has rebuilt racks

http://www.trutlands.com/

 

Side-to-side play would almost certainly have to be the u-joint. The rack and gear simply can't slip that much without being totally trashed. If you have up and down looseness, that's the rack bushings...

Ask me how I know all this!!

If you do end up replacing the rack, I recommend the Superformance UK quick ratio rack. Really wakes the car up.

Greg

 

I would like to know about the u-joint as well. My car has the same issue.

 

I think the play issues lies in one of the parts below. Anyone have a clue as to what to look at first?
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I just called my secret source who advised of teh following regarding play in the clumn, but none in the rack itself:

The u-joint nearest to the rack wears more than the u-joint closer to the steering wheel. It was also advised to pull the metal cover of the bottom of the car just below the rack to check the 10mm bolt to make sure it is tight with the splined hub for the rack itself.

 

I believe that new ones are still available through Maranello Concessionaires in the UK as FNA still list them as active parts. About 1200 for the pair!

I would suggest pulling them apart and finding the individual worn components and then looking for those. I suspect the bushings or bearings (not sure which they have) could be replaced by new sealed bearings or custom machined bushings. Certainly less than 1200.

Also, when you get to the rack, there are rebuild kits available on eBay for very reasonable prices, or have it professionally rebuilt by .... that place in Palm Springs that does them for everyone and cut out the middleman. Name totally escapes me, but someone will chime in (please!) or it'll come to me.

FWIW the rack was made by Camgears Ltd in the UK, and is the exact same unit as used in the old Lotus Cortina. A search for parts for that might prove successful.

 

I would tend to agree withGreg. That is a lot of movement. I would start checking from the rack up instead from the steering wheel down. Maybe the rack itself is a little loose? I would still think it is the bushing in the rack.
There is no bushing on the driver side. Raise the passenger side wheel and try to move it holding it at 3 and 9 o'clock. It will be obvious if the bushing is bad as the tie rod will be moving up and down about 1/4"-3/8".

I know that you want to concentrate on the U joint as you know it is worn. But given the amount of play I would personally check the bushing first.

Gianluca

 

cptndon ---

With a buddy's help, you should be able to isolate the column joints --- have one person move the steering wheel while the other watches the u-joints to observe any slop in them. With as much play as you have noted, a joint worn that badly will appear obvious. A potential source for the u-joints is to take them into a place near you who specializes in axle / driveshaft repair ---- they will have knowledge of, and access to, vast supplies of all types of cv and u-joints and may be able to rebuild yours or replace them with a suitable alternative for not so much money. I've had good success with similar joints in the past this way.

That is unless you only want OEM parts ---- then, I think your only alternative will be to go to the dealership network or Maranello Concessionaires, hand them your credit card, and bend over!!!

You may also check out the spares / used parts people out there. But, often it is hard to find someone willing to sell used steering column parts for cars ---- at one time, in the US, it was illegal to sell such items used because of DOT safety regulations... I don't know whether that is still the case.

 

Talk to Richard at Competizione.... I had alot of play in what I thought was the steering column.... turns out it was worn rack bushings and outer tie rods.... he had a solution for the rack that has fixed it for good.

 

While it is true that Camgears made the rack, you won't find one in a Lotus Cortina. They, Lotus Cortina, used a steering BOX not a steering rack. Strange but true.

 

Looking a little deeper,

The FORD Cortina did use a steering rack for the Mk-III through the MK-V, roughly from 1968-1982. The MK-I & MK-II may have used a rack, I am not sure. The few pictures I have been able to find indicate it is VERY similar to the 308/Mondial rack. Finding a LHD version of the rack might prove to be a challenge. I found a used RHD version on British E-bay for about $10. I doubt I will be so lucky finding a LHD at that price.

The following is the link to the RHD rack on British E-bay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-Cortina-MK3-Steering-Rack-Excellent-Condition_W0QQitemZ280158829099QQihZ018QQcategoryZ27377QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Paul