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 Nylon bush Steering rack replacement

 Created by: Hudaman
Orig. Posting Date User Name Edit Date
May 13, 2017 05:19AM CooperTune  
May 13, 2017 03:16AM malsal Edited: May 13, 2017 03:26AM 
May 13, 2017 12:51AM Hudaman  
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 Posted: May 13, 2017 05:19AM
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Member since:Oct 8, 2011
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US
I have recently rebuilt two late steering racks. This are not your old Cam Gear racks. The link between rack and steering arm is not rebuildable. It unscrews and if bad throw away. That out of the way one had just the plastic bushing looking back at me. The other had a flat section snap ring, something like the retaining ring for the first motion outer support bearing outer race. Say that fast. Worse as i's in a hole deeper. I removed the pinion and rack and picked the ring out machined the new bushing and pressed the bushing in place and replaced the snap ring, fileing back the ends to provide the next guy a hand getting it out. The one with out a snap ring had a bushing cast with a lip to engage the snap ring groove. I machined a oil lite bronze bush for that one and cheated pressing the bush in place and using a round section Jesus clip to retain it. Put them back together and oiled booted and shelved. One for my street car one for my race car. I have not yet been able to buy a correct plastic bushing to repair a rack. And I have tried have a box of them. Most late racks have at least one good end ( two racks = one rebuilt. I see Nick Swift has had new H/D ends made. Had not been able to find new other wise. Steve (CTR)

I do in no way suggest anyone work on their own brake or steering parts. As suggested buy new and be sure. 

 Posted: May 13, 2017 03:16AM
 Edited:  May 13, 2017 03:26AM
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Remove the tie rod and count the number of turns it takes so you can put it back in the same position, loosen the rubber boot and remove it, the bush is right on the end of the rack.
The tricky part is getting it out, look for a grub screw or set screw that holds it in place. I have heard owners put self taping screws in the bushing and pull on them with pliers to remove it. Also Spank i think (a forum member here) said he did one by turning the rack to full lock the opposite way you want to remove the bush then with the rack gears showing he used some drywall screws and locked them in place between the rack gears and the bushing. All he did then was turn the rack in the opposite direction and it pulled out the bushing.
FWIW and as you have the rack out already plus the relatively cheap cost of a new rack and pinion it would be simple to just replace the rack. Most owners do the bushing with the rack in place still on the car.
Almost forgot when re installing the rack you need to remove the grommet in the passenger floor and then remove the grommet in the rack then center it through the hole you could do this off the car also. When re assembling take the rack clamps/U bolts and make sure they fit in the holes as they often spring out when they are off the car, you may have to squeeze them together in a vice

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: May 13, 2017 12:51AM
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Member since:Apr 25, 2017
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I recentally bought the Classic Austin Mini Cooper-bush Nylon Steering Rack to repair my recently purchased 1990 Mini.
Well, long story short, the old rack is out and on my work bench, however, I can't for the life of me figure out how to replace this nylon bush. Can someone tell me how of point to a guide. I have done my due diligence and searched the net, but can't find anything.

Thank you,
Scott