Steering Rack Repair

[SimonR]

Having decided to convert my S-Series Maesty to PAS I'm facing several 'challenges', the most important of which is how to unbend/replace one of the trackrods. In removing the PAS rack from the donor car the driver's side trackrod got slightly kinked, (not my fault, Honest :o) so I need to repair it before I fit it to the car.

I've cut open the rubber gaiter around the ball and socket joint and can't work out if it's possible to repair the rack by substituting a trackfod from my manual rack.

Anyone got any experience of doing this?

Replacing the rack is not really an option because it's a very rare part and is off a very low mileage vehicle.

Thanks!

[Dave]

Theres a BRAND NEW PAS Rack sat in my garage as part of MMOC Spares Stock. Complete in its original wooden box, with lovely straight track-rods.

If your interested make us an offer!

Dave.

[E_T_V]

I've not got any experience of doign it but yes you can remove the bent arm from the rack and substiture another one. (There should be a ball joint connecting the arm to the rack.. Not sure how you get these off though. (Not sure if the manual rack ones fit but I'd be very suprised if they didn't rover being parts bin specialists).

The other option is of course to straighten the rod and use it as is. So long as the vehicle is tracked up alright and the rod is straightned properly (i.e. whilst red hot if possible) then that should work equally well) Just remember to keep the joints and rack incredibly clean and pask it well with rubber/silicone/hydraulic grease on re-assembly.

I believe you can buy the outer steering arms new so that might be your best option so you can keep a spare manual rack intact.

[SimonR]

Thanks Guys.

Dave: check your PMs. I hope your rack is for a VW boxed car!
Dan: do you reckon it'd be as strong if I were to get it straightened whilst red hot? - That may well be an option!

I suppose at the worst my local Rover garage could supply the new arm and fit it to the rack...

[BIGLAD]

:)

If the rack is off the car its easy.
All the Montego/Maestro rack ends ( as far as i know) are Physically interchangable. Thats not to say that (they maybe slightly a different length from model to model) OR MORE LIKELY be part numbered differently.
Pull/cut the rack boot back, and you are faced with a "domed" end where the rack-end screws onto the rack. The dome (i remeber) has 2 flats on it. Either a good pair of mole-grips or Stilsons will remove/unscrew them.
Biglad

[E_T_V]

IF straightened correctly it'll be fine. The problem will be getting it perfectly straight again.. My advice would be to swap them or get another one as it should be easy enough if the rack is off of the car

[BIGLAD]

If you heat it up and it takes another "knock" there it will bend in the same place as it is already weakened.
Bigald

[E_T_V]

That'll only happen if you don't get it perfectly straight. Those rods don't take much stress so it should be fine to straighten it. I know we did it once and the rod was almost completely U shaped. It was fine.

[Simon]

Yes, I've found out that the tie rod unscrews, there is a thread between knuckle joint and the actual toothed rack itself. On a manual rack (whether Maestro or Montego) the tie rod kit is GSV 1059, but strangely nothing is listed for a tie rod kit for the power rack. For what it's worth, I'd have a go at unscrewing tie rods from both your racks and see how they compare. Apparently you need to stake the edge of the ball housing of the tie rod into the groove in the rack itself as a precaution against accidental loosening. Torque is 60lbf/ft