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Mg Midget Steering Rack

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Mg Midget Steering Rack
#1
totallyconfused Avatar
totallyconfused christian wilson
burgess hill, burgess hill, UK   GBR
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Hello....I have play in my steering wheel. The MOT advisory was worn steering rack.

I have got a second hand one. The track rods seem good...not too slack. The pinion seems nice and tight. Although I cant turn it by hand...is that normal?

If push the track rod it moves but is a tad noisy...is that normal? Have greased up the rack, got new gaitors and track rod ends.

Haven't taken the old one off yet. So have nothing to compare it to.

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Re: Mg Midget Steering Rack
#2
S1 Elan Kurt. Appley
Akron, Ia., USA   USA
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1964 Lotus Elan
1965 MG Midget MkII
What year? There were two used but since you mentioned greasing it I'm assuming you have the early one. It isn't supposed to be greased but is supposed to get 90wt gear oil.

Kurt

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Re: Mg Midget Steering Rack
#3
totallyconfused Avatar
totallyconfused christian wilson
burgess hill, burgess hill, UK   GBR
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Hi. Its a 1974 mark 3. I did see that about two camps on oil versus grease. Oil may run out etc. Grease will stay in tube.

Seemed to me that as the manual says fill the plunger pot thing with grease to lube up the spring, plunger and I guess the pinnion assembly...I went for grease.

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Re: Mg Midget Steering Rack
#4
totallyconfused Avatar
totallyconfused christian wilson
burgess hill, burgess hill, UK   GBR
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How do...if I loosen the plunger cap off, the rack moves very smoothly the full run of the rack. When I tighten down the cap...with the two shims under cap...it tightens up. That seems right. ☺. When tightened up...the rack moves but have to push hard on one of the track rod arms. Its a bit noisy. Can't spin the pinnion by hand.

Is this normal? Good?

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Re: Mg Midget Steering Rack
#5
totallyconfused Avatar
totallyconfused christian wilson
burgess hill, burgess hill, UK   GBR
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Sorry to keep posting....but have jacked up car and was going to start working on pulling out old rack. The original rack and steering coloumn doesn't seem to have any play to me.

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Re: Mg Midget Steering Rack
#6
refisk Rick Fisk
Frankenmuth, MI, USA   USA
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The steering rack on a Spridget rarely wears out. Much more like the steering play is caused by worn out front suspension components. Use oil in the rack, not grease.

In reply to # 3476134 by totallyconfused Sorry to keep posting....but have jacked up car and was going to start working on pulling out old rack. The original rack and steering coloumn doesn't seem to have any play to me.

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Re: Mg Midget Steering Rack
#7
Wayne Burner Avatar
Wayne Burner
Chester, NH, USA   USA
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1977 MG Midget MkIV
Just because the MOT, said it might be the rack, it might be something else. Have your attractive assistant, move the steering wheel in the area that has the play, and look for anything else that could be the issue. I would hate to see you put in the rack, and find out the play is still there? I think there is a clamp, between the column, and the rack, yes? Check the clamp,and the splines, for wear and tightness. I would be nice to just find out, just the clamp is loose cool smiley

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Re: Mg Midget Steering Rack
#8
totallyconfused Avatar
totallyconfused christian wilson
burgess hill, burgess hill, UK   GBR
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The steering wheel does have play though. Took off horn cover and nut at top of coloumn loose. Tightened it up and now steering wheel seems tight.

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Re: Mg Midget Steering Rack
#9
Kerr Avatar
Kerr Platinum Member Norm Kerr
Ann Arbor, MI, USA   USA
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1974 MG Midget
well done, perhaps you have solved it (loose nut behind the wheel)

By the way, a '74 rack is the later Triumph rack (similar to mini) and uses grease, not oil. They changed from Morris to Triumph January, '72.


Next question: why was the wheel loose? For instance, if the splines are badly worn, and the nut is now only holding it by friction, that would be bad because it will come loose again (worst case scenario = total loss of steering control, if the splines wear badly enough). You might need to source another steering wheel to restore those splines (the soft, aluminum, or zinc, wheel hub will wear before the steel column splines).


N

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Re: Mg Midget Steering Rack
#10
refisk Rick Fisk
Frankenmuth, MI, USA   USA
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Alrighty then, glad you got it sorted. Doesn't say much for the MOT inspector though does it? grinning smiley

In reply to # 3476151 by totallyconfused The steering wheel does have play though. Took off horn cover and nut at top of coloumn loose. Tightened it up and now steering wheel seems tight.

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Re: Mg Midget Steering Rack
#11
totallyconfused Avatar
totallyconfused christian wilson
burgess hill, burgess hill, UK   GBR
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Yeah...loose nut behind wheel...always dangerous.

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Re: Mg Midget Steering Rack
#12
totallyconfused Avatar
totallyconfused christian wilson
burgess hill, burgess hill, UK   GBR
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Guess I can now start looking for a new steering wheel....far more fun than fitting a new rack.

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Re: Mg Midget Steering Rack
#13
ice Avatar
ice Gold Member Larry Ice
Lawrenceville, GA, USA   USA
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1971 MG Midget MkIII
christian, pls post the year of your car to your profile. That way all can see what year car we are talking about.
Year of car is "need to know" info to help you fix the car and much easier than posting it every time . Only takes a minute to
to update your profile.


Iceman

Atlanta GA

71 MG Midget

62 AH MKII
67 Midget
71 Midget

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Re: Mg Midget Steering Rack
#14
totallyconfused Avatar
totallyconfused christian wilson
burgess hill, burgess hill, UK   GBR
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Will do that now....thanks for all your help. Much appreciated. ☺

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Re: Mg Midget Steering Rack
#15
totallyconfused Avatar
totallyconfused christian wilson
burgess hill, burgess hill, UK   GBR
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Just testing.

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