Steering rack

[BikerGran]

When Doris was MOT'd recently they said there was wear in the steering rack - seems a bit odd cos she's only done 36000, but there you are.

Now I see there's one for sale on ebay, see http://www.maestro.org.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=30315#post30315 (this thread) - but does anyone have any idea how much it would cost from a regular parts dealer and /or whether it would be available?

I shall get my mechanic to have a look before I do anything rash - I phoned the garage where I get my Citroen fixed, just to ask if they do other breeds, and it turns out that Steve was originally trained on Austin-Rover, so thats handy.

[E_T_V]

Did the garage say where the wear was?

Common wear points on the steering mechanism which aren't anything to do with the rack are:

The steering column bushes (so the steering wheel can be moved up and down when sat in the driving seat, (this usually requires new bushes which are easy enough to fit)

The bottom ball joints. These are available as a replacement item, (rather than a complete new whishbone) but are a little more involved to fit as you need to drill out the old rivets and replace them with a new bolt in item

The track rod ends. These are again available and are fitted fairly easily.

As you say, it is unusual for such a low milage car to have such problems, and sorry if I sound sceptical but the garage may have been angling for some extra work. My van recently had its rack changed (for a Power steering one) and that was still original at 200k miles, (although the lower ball joints on the wishbones had been replaced at some point.)

An exchange rack should be available for a price. I'm not sure but I'd guess at 50-70 quid for a new one. Also be aware that there are two different types of rack available, one for cars with the VW gearbox (1.3 maestro and montegos and 1.6 maestros). And another type for the honda gear boxed cars. The former type has an extra bracket needed for the gearbox linkages.

I hope that helps a bit..

[BikerGran]

As I said I'll get my mechanic (not where it was MOT'd) to have a look before doing anything. We MOT'd it at a local garage as it had no MOT or tax, I just wanted a quick MOT to see if it was worth having but my other half didnt catch on and told them to go ahead with tyres and exhaust, and I was a bit surprised at the cost, so I did wonder about the reported steering problem.......

That's interesting about the different types of rack - mine's 1600 S series engine but with an automatic gearbox, so would that use the same rack or a different one again? I don't quite see the connection between the steering and the gearbox - unless it's a question of the mountings?

[SimonR]

I don't quite see the connection between the steering and the gearbox - unless it's a question of the mountings?

The gear change linkage bolts onto a bracket on the steering rack - that's the connection!