Steering Rack refurbishment - just due to leaks?

[Dischordant]

Hi guys - Had a garage recently say they thought my steering didn't seem as responsive as it could be and that I should get my steering rack refurbished as a result (though it went through the MOT fine).

I thought the rack refurb was for if it had a leak? As it has no leak I don't want to get it refurb (potentially causing a leak) if it is actually ok. It feels ok to me but then I guess I don't have a basis for comparison! I have a 350mm steering wheel fitted so I can understand why the steering may not feel as quick as with 330mm wheels.

Would appreciate the input of people who know exactly how steering works/what is done when it is refurbed please! Does it change how tight the steering feels or just fix leaks? (This car already had the steering refurbed a year or two before I bought it in case that is relevant)

Many thanks!!

Darren

[Basil Brush]

There are a couple of causes of play in the rack from my experience. Wear can cause play between the pinion and rack. There is also a torsion bar inside the pinion housing that connects the pinion to the steering column input. When you turn the wheel, the torsion bar bends according to the force resisting the wheels turning, which then controls the amount of hydraulic pressure helping you steer via the valves in the pinion body. This torsion bar is rivetted to the pinion and column input and these can loosen up, also resulting in steering play.

I had both of these on my old rack, giving about 5mm side to side play at the steering wheel, but it never leaked.

[Dischordant]

Thanks for the brilliant reply Basil!

If there is a bit of play - does that help reduce or increase the characteristically twitchy steering of the Tuscan?

[Basil Brush]

I think it makes it feel worse as the car can wander without you moving the wheel so you find yourself making corrections all the time.

I also forgot to mention the crappy Vectra sliding coupling on the bottom of the column in the footwell. These are a known weak point on Vectras adn mine was also a bit loose after 50k miles. I ended up replacing the whole column and getting the rack sorted as there were bits of play in each part and I got a bit carried away.

Edited by Basil Brush on Wednesday 29th April 15:36

[Dischordant]

OK awesome that's really helped reassure me =)

Thank you!