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Is replacing the steering rack something I can do myself?

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Is replacing the steering rack something I can do myself? #1
JingChai Jing Chai Sunnyvale, CA, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 17, 2014 11:51 AM Joined 11 years ago 854 Posts

So I got my steering rack and I'm reading from both the Haynes and Bentley manual on the procedure. It seems pretty straightforward taking the rack out but the reassembling part is making me a bit nervous with all the shimming and stuff.

Has anyone ever replaced their rack or is it best to leave it to an expert?

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Re: Is replacing the steering rack something I can do myself? #4
ntw Nathan Watson Macon, GA, USA Sign in to contact 1979 MG MGB	Sep 17, 2014 12:10 PM Joined 10 years ago 6 Posts

The main thing definitely is shimming. Here's what I did. I did not use any alignment tool.

I installed my rack all the way with universal joint and all. I tightened the four mounting bolts. Then, I tried to turn the steering column by gripping the column itself not the steering wheel. I found the wheel is easy to turn even with a little binding but trying to turn the shaft is difficult.

With all four bolts slightly loose, I could turn the column easily. I tightened each bolt a little at a time until the shaft was hard to turn (by gripping the shaft itself). If tightening a bolt made it bind then I placed a shim on that bolt.

I did this until all 4 bolts were tight and I could still easily turn the shaft by hand.

Some of you guys might think this method sounds crazy but my steering works line a dream.

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Re: Is replacing the steering rack something I can do myself? #5
Jim Gruber Apollo Beach, FL, USA Sign in to contact	Sep 17, 2014 12:46 PM Top Contributor Joined 13 years ago 1,529 Posts

I can state that I discovered that rack will lock up if not properly shimmed. Fortunately happened and I did not hit anything. Shims easy to make from Hobby Shop copper sheet. Follow manual. Chances are no one you could take this too would have any experience with shimming rack on a Spridget either.

Be sure to use a bottoming tap on bolt hikes to clean up the swarf in those holes. Replacement bolts need to be exact length or rack will walk around as bolts are bottoming in holes and rack clamps are not tight. I glued a piece of bicycle inner tube to at least one Sid of rack clamp, possibly both sides.

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Re: Is replacing the steering rack something I can do myself? #6
AmishIndy Seth Jones Glendale Heights, IL, USA Sign in to contact 1971 MG Midget MkIII "Guenevire" 2007 Mazda 3 "Porco Rosso"	Sep 17, 2014 05:13 PM Joined 13 years ago 5,849 Posts

Its pretty easy. get a ball joint separator from harbor freight and be careful not to collapse the steering column.

Seth Jones

1971 MG Midget

www.SpridgetGuru.com

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Re: Is replacing the steering rack something I can do myself? #7
Jim Gruber Apollo Beach, FL, USA Sign in to contact	Sep 17, 2014 06:54 PM Top Contributor Joined 13 years ago 1,529 Posts

Seth bought one if those for < $20 with coupon. Looks a whole lot easier than tge Fork I used before

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Re: Is replacing the steering rack something I can do myself? #8
JingChai Jing Chai Sunnyvale, CA, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 18, 2014 05:22 PM Joined 11 years ago 854 Posts

Yeah I saw that from Harbor Freight. Definitely will be handy.

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Re: Is replacing the steering rack something I can do myself? #2
pmcmain Paul McMain Kokomo, IN, USA Sign in to contact 1955 MG TF 1500	Sep 17, 2014 11:56 AM Joined 13 years ago 1,153 Posts

Re: Is replacing the steering rack something I can do myself? #3
JingChai Jing Chai Sunnyvale, CA, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 17, 2014 12:01 PM Joined 11 years ago 854 Posts

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Is replacing the steering rack something I can do myself?

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