Got to replace this part and BBC Spares has one marked as for 4WD (which mine is) but HE doesn't know what the difference is between a 4WD rack & a 2WD rack. Anyone out there can help me ensure I'm getting the right part?
- (#7583) Chris Mccanna, 5 Mar 03
damn, typed it all up, the got booted off...
Anyway, The only visible difference I can see in the rack is at the drivers side mounting clamp- it's a "D" section, and on the 2x4, the flat faces down. On the 4x4 it faces forwards.
Also if the trackrod ends are still on it, the 4x4's are bigger, the taper has an M14 thread.
But why do you need one ? Ends are replaceable, as are seals, and the slipper can be adjusted to take some play out...
- (#7584) david miller, 5 Mar 03
Hi Dave
I've been advised by my mechanics (Swifts of Worthing) that it's an MOT failure and that the play is in the rack itself. Said a new rack is £600 & takes weeks to ship in. MOT expires 27th this month.
This was after they'd given it a quick check-over, as we're going on a journey on Saturday. We had put it in to a company called Masters - Specialist in Japanese imported vehicles, and they listed a number of issues. However, they also displayed negative customer care, so despite being quite handy for us we will use Swifts. Swifts are not a specialist company, so they may not be aware of the adjustable slipper....
- (#7585) Chris Mccanna, 5 Mar 03
Have a look on the 'net' for power steering services, www.pss.co.uk they might be able to recon your rack for not too much money. HTH Rob.
- (#7586) Rob Drinkwater, 5 Mar 03
hiya chris im scrapping a 4wd , and it has a rack if u want it- its half bbc spares price plus whatever the postage is - comes complete with track rod ends and its still got an mot ..jim
adgo6@aol.com
- (#7587) j adgo, 6 Mar 03
Thanks for all the helpful stuff here - this is a quick response as we going off to Colchester to a wedding tomorrow - won't get back till Sunday afternoon (hope the Townie holds together!)
Well Dave, the mechanic at Swifts removed the plate and found a big hexagonal nut on a square mounting at the bottom of the rack (as he explained it). He found it v. stiff and the mounting plate started to move. He didn't want to do anything untoward as he knew we needed to use it so it's still got play. Might it be that the slack's already been taken up? There's about 150,000 Km on the clock so I wonder if it's due for replacement.
Anyway, better hit the sack now - I'll respond to y'all properly early next week.
- (#7588) Chris McCanna, 7 Mar 03
It did (hold together). I've sent some of you guys an email. Thanks for your suggestion Rob, I'll go surfing, will let y'all know how my story turns out. It's currently MOT day minus 17 I think.
By the way, what's 'HTH' Rob? Hope to hear? Have TownAce Heaven?? Hate TownAce Hell ...
- (#7663) Chris McCanna, 10 Mar 03
Hope This Helps
(It usually does)
- (#7664) Ian Dunse, 11 Mar 03
Thanks Ian - it did.
- (#7665) Chris McCanna, 11 Mar 03
So ... Dave Mason Put me onto his neighbour Mike Dalziel who's an experienced mechanic. Mike had a good look/listen to the knock from the rack which is apparent if you waggle the steering wheel with the engine off. However, when the engine's running and the power steering is pumped up (?) there's no knock, no play. Mike informs me that you can't check play in a power steering system unless the engine's running. He reckons that the steering will not fail the MOT. Will let you know how it goes.
He also reckons the copious smoke at high revs is due to the pump adjustment being too rich. Hopefully our consumption will be better when he's adjusted it. Will let y'all know how it goes after 27th (MOT expiry)
- (#7801) Chris McCanna, 20 Mar 03
Yup, the knock with the engine off is mostly play in the control valve at the bottom of the steering column. Probably OK after all...
- (#7802) david miller, 20 Mar 03
Well, Mike the mechanic & Dave Miller have both been proved right - it went through the MOT with no attention to the steering rack. Mike DID have to adjust the mixure as it was belting out noxious black smoke when revved, which will go some way to improving our 18 m.p.g. consumption recod I'm sure.
So, I guess I've learnt not to trust 'the experts' but go for a 2nd/3rd opinion before being panicked into costly repairs. I've found a mechanic who seems to know what he's talking about to boot. Thanks to Dave Mason for putting me onto him, and to all you helpful guys for your input.
- (#7887) Chris McCanna, 1 Apr 03 4:07