Paul B 22 Posted July 2, 2020 (edited) Had a few tyres thrown on today by the local tyre guru. Left it with him. All went OK. Tyres are grand, but.... On collection he said "that's a lovely car but your steering rack is hanging out of it!" I had a quick look and while "hanging out of it" might be an exaggeration, it doesn't look good. Its the nearside that's the problem. If I grab the wheel and wiggle it, the track rod hops around inside the rubber gaiter. Got the old girl home and had a better look by sliding the rubber out of the way. Over to the left of the photo, the silverey rod is hopping around inside that sleeve. Seems like something is broken or even missing, but I can't find any bits. Can anyone tell me what I need to do to fix it? Thanks in advance... Paul Edited July 2, 2020 by Paul B Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colr6 16 Posted July 2, 2020 There’s a plastic Bush which goes in the end of the sleeve which appears to be missing. It’s either been like that a long time or the bits will be in the rack boot. A pic below shows the triangulated bush in between the rack boots is what you want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RT 1006 137 Posted July 2, 2020 There should probably be a nylon bush between the rack (the silvery rod) and the outer casing. Have a look and see if it or maybe bits of it are sitting inside the gaiter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul B 22 Posted July 2, 2020 Ah, I see. I gave the gaiter a good old massage but couldn't feel anything. I also delved around inside with a couple of fingers but again, I found nothing... Except oil. I'm not sure but it could possibly have gone into the rack a bit. Could see something there but maybe it's meant to be there. Ok, a couple more questions... What's that Bush called? What do I ask for and where's best place? EBay? Also, I assume I have to detach the track rod end and unscrew the whole rod..? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul B 22 Posted July 2, 2020 Looks like Burton do it. Fifteen quid for a bit of plastic. Jesus! Anyway, I guess the issue next is how to fit it. Oh, and how much oil is meant to be in the boot? Is it gear oil? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgo 66 Posted July 3, 2020 For some reason that bush goes brittle, breaks and seems to disappear (the pieces on mine went up inside the rack). Only way to find out is to remove the whole rack and flush out with oil. I ended up fitting a replacement rack rather than just the bush but prices on those seem to have jumped recently to ~£100. Per Paul B's post above Burton's do them: Link They also so a HD version which I believe also fits: Link Likely you'll need new gaiters and some oil too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul B 22 Posted July 9, 2020 OK, so a nice new bush has arrived this afternoon so I just need a bit of time to fit it now. My question is, how DO I fit it? Presumably I separate the ball joint first. And then what? Do the parts all screw off? I've no idea and can't find it in Ye Olde Manual. Also, when reassembling, how much oil goes into the boot? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sheffieldcortinacentre 529 Posted July 9, 2020 Yes the unscrew you need to set them back in the same place there's a little locking pin. Get yourself a Haynes manual it tells you how to in there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colr6 16 Posted July 9, 2020 As stated above there is a small lock pin between the two parts in the groove. Normally it’s staked with a chisel in the shape of an X this must be drilled out before they will come undone. Approx 3/3.5 mm drill take care not to damage the threads as they are quite fine. Once you’ve fitted the new bush set the the resistance on the ball joint by setting with a fish scale to 2 pounds or if you haven’t got one a bag of sugar hung on the end of the rod will do. Once you’ve set it up and locked off the locking ring re drill a hole in the groove if the original one doesn’t line up ( they very rarely do once re set ) find a suitable pin, a round nail will do, 3” nail is around the right diameter. Cut a short piece pop in the hole and peen the top over to keep it in. Very little oil is in the racks would suggest 1/8 pint would be more than enough. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul B 22 Posted July 9, 2020 23 minutes ago, Colr6 said: As stated above there is a small lock pin between the two parts in the groove. Normally it’s staked with a chisel in the shape of an X this must be drilled out before they will come undone. Approx 3/3.5 mm drill take care not to damage the threads as they are quite fine. Once you’ve fitted the new bush set the the resistance on the ball joint by setting with a fish scale to 2 pounds or if you haven’t got one a bag of sugar hung on the end of the rod will do. Once you’ve set it up and locked off the locking ring re drill a hole in the groove if the original one doesn’t line up ( they very rarely do once re set ) find a suitable pin, a round nail will do, 3” nail is around the right diameter. Cut a short piece pop in the hole and peen the top over to keep it in. Very little oil is in the racks would suggest 1/8 pint would be more than enough. Wow. Thanks for that. I'll try to give it a dose of looking at tomorrow. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites