Rebuilt steering rack - now it's really stiff...

Yes they certainly do. A quick Google search brings up around 10 rack rebuilders on the first few pages. Maybe not many Marina (but probably some!) but mostly Jaguar, Lotus, TVR, Jensen, Mini, Triumph, MG, Aston Martin etc etc.

Its just one of the countless specialist classic car and motorsport related services which employ thousands of people in the UK in small workshops all over the country.

 

See this thread, posts 6-8;

Steering Rack Rebuild 308
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=403218

Also;


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I have rebuild 3 of these racks with never having to change the original shims. The trick is, as Martin states, to ensure enough play in the bushing for correct turning resistance. The tolerance can be adjusted with a simple reamer or with fine grinding paper wrapped on a stick.

Best regards Peter

 

Fwiw I used a small brake cylinder hone.

 

Peter, were all three rebuilds done on the same rack or different ones? If different do you know the longest mileage obtained? If the same then what was the average interval? I'm assuming you went with metal as opposed to plastic bushings.

 

Rebuild my 308 rack twice; First time using a plastic bushing that disintegrated less than a year later (Most likely crispy NOS bushing), then installed a bronze bushing that's still running strong. Rebuild my 246 rack using home made bronze bushing as well. Both racks had run +- 50K miles prior rebuild. I bet that these racks can live forever if they are rebuild with a bronze or Delron bushing, filled with the right type of grease and the rubber belly's are kept intact.

Regards Peter

 

Great info, thanks.

 

Just out of curiosity, is the steering rack the same for LHD & RHD? I just put my LHD one back in, and it seems it would work either way.

 

Isn't the pinion on the left on a LHD?

 

No

 

Design is mirrored, what does not mean, that you can simply flip it over.

Best
Martin