Factory fitted power steering rack

[RobXjcoupe]

My Griff is a 95 500 fitted from new with power steering. The rack isn't leaking but I have a bit of play where the steering wheel column fits into the rack. I have about 2 inch of steering wheel movement without the rack moving.
So my question is, can the play be repaired or am I looking at a new steering rack. If I need a new steering rack what make and model am I after please?
Also whilst reading other builds, Impreza steering racks are mentioned. Are they the ones to go for and if so what type please?
Cheers in advance for any help

[RobXjcoupe]

Any ideas please?

[TvrJohn]

TVR PAS
Contact Kiley Clinton for Steering Racks, steering boxes, UJs, Brake Calipers, Parts Spares fast friendly service huge experience Tel: [phone] 772

[ClassicChimaera]

I'm sure you've tried nipping up the Allen grub screw on the rack by the hose connections. Think it's a 19 mm lock nut.
Might be worth a try.

[roseytvr]

TvrJohn said:

TVR PAS
Contact Kiley Clinton for Steering Racks, steering boxes, UJs, Brake Calipers, Parts Spares fast friendly service huge experience Tel: [phone] 772

+1 for Kiley Clinton. Did a full refurb on my rack, 3 years on all good except the seal has just started leaking at the pinion.

[Bluebottle]

ClassicChimaera said:

I'm sure you've tried nipping up the Allen grub screw on the rack by the hose connections. Think it's a 19 mm lock nut.
Might be worth a try.

Its unusual for it the move there, unless the shaft is not fully engaged into the rack and pinched up as said above. how much of the shaft spline is visible able the split collar?

[phazed]

Don't forget, there are no spare mechanical parts for these racks.

if there is actual wear then you are looking at scrapping the rack.

Check all connections are tight first!

The scooby replacement is my choice.

lots of threads especially one main one on the replacement.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=147...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[ClassicChimaera]

Bluebottle said:

Its unusual for it the move there, unless the shaft is not fully engaged into the rack and pinched up as said above. how much of the shaft spline is visible able the split collar?

I had about 7/8 mm of play on my steering wheel, nipped the grub screw clockwise about 1/6th of a turn and it reduced it to zero, I've actually taken it back a smidge since as the steering was to sensitive.

It's just worth a nip up first. If there's accessive movement I think Phazed is correct about repair.
I've been very lucky in I've Diven Phazed monster car with the Suburu rack.
Almost exactly the same, could hardly tell to be honest,,,,, good mod.

[RobXjcoupe]

Bluebottle said:

ClassicChimaera said:

I'm sure you've tried nipping up the Allen grub screw on the rack by the hose connections. Think it's a 19 mm lock nut.
Might be worth a try.

Its unusual for it the move there, unless the shaft is not fully engaged into the rack and pinched up as said above. how much of the shaft spline is visible able the split collar?

I'll have a look this afternoon, and take a picture if I'm unsure.
Thank you

[RobXjcoupe]

phazed said:

Don't forget, there are no spare mechanical parts for these racks.

if there is actual wear then you are looking at scrapping the rack.

Check all connections are tight first!

The scooby replacement is my choice.

lots of threads especially one main one on the replacement.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=147...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Cheers for the info, but out of curiosity where did the original power steering rack come from? Do you know?

[phazed]

It was a special for TVR, probably bastardised from another make but that road is a cut de sac.

[RobXjcoupe]

phazed said:

It was a special for TVR, probably bastardised from another make but that road is a cut de sac.

Ok, well my fingers are crossed it's something that needs tightening otherwise something else to repair or replace

[briantvr350i]

+2 for Kiley Clinton...

Had the PAS rack in my wedge done there a couple of years ago...

Mine was the bog standard cheap as chips Ford version so only cost £125+VAT, IIRC the "horrible aluminium TVR rack" (their words not mine) would have been £295+VAT

Looks like a good old fashioned engineering company that does things properly. Price also includes 2 year warranty.

Regards,

Brian

and a Red 350i
lurking in the Griffith forum

[ClassicChimaera]

It took a bit of digging to find but here's mine. You can see the rust in the Allen bolt





And here's the reason it's sitting on the ground rather than in the car. Removing then replacing rack I desturbed the top oil seal and it started leaking a day after rebuilding the bd.
Replaced oil seal and it's been fine since, no leaks but I'm not sure if it's leaking inside and it's only that seal stopping it?



And here's the seal if you ever need reference, it's a double spring seal so not to be mistaken for a lessor seal,,, usually green I think!

Edited by ClassicChimaera on Monday 16th January 14:16

Edited by ClassicChimaera on Monday 16th January 14:17

[ClassicChimaera]

You can just see the fluid running down from the dust cap.

[phazed]

briantvr350i said:

+2 for Kiley Clinton...

Had the PAS rack in my wedge done there a couple of years ago...

Mine was the bog standard cheap as chips Ford version so only cost £125+VAT, IIRC the "horrible aluminium TVR rack" (their words not mine) would have been £295+VAT

Looks like a good old fashioned engineering company that does things properly. Price also includes 2 year warranty.

Regards,

Brian

and a Red 350i
lurking in the Griffith forum

Sent my PS rack to them.

They couldn't repair it as it was worn and no parts available, only seals.

[RobXjcoupe]

ClassicChimaera said:

It took a bit of digging to find but here's mine. You can see the rust in the Allen bolt





And here's the reason it's sitting on the ground rather than in the car. Removing then replacing rack I desturbed the top oil seal and it started leaking a day after rebuilding the bd.
Replaced oil seal and it's been fine since, no leaks but I'm not sure if it's leaking inside and it's only that seal stopping it?



And here's the seal if you ever need reference, it's a double spring seal so not to be mistaken for a lessor seal,,, usually green I think!

Edited by ClassicChimaera on Monday 16th January 14:16

Edited by ClassicChimaera on Monday 16th January 14:17

Thank you for the pictures Alun my rack doesn't actually leak it's just the amount of play between the steering wheel and the input into the steering rack. I didn't have time to look this evening but I will this week

[ClassicChimaera]

I nipped mine on the floor but I'm sure it can be done in place with plenty of grovelling about and three elbows
I found the grub screw would turn as I tightened the lock nut so keep an eye on it, it doesn't need to turn much to have SN effect.
Hope it's this and it saves you a job

[TVR Beaver]

Do you know what the screw actualy does inside the rack?... I have a bit of play in mine so will give this a go

[phazed]

TVR Beaver said:

Do you know what the screw actualy does inside the rack?... I have a bit of play in mine so will give this a go

The Allen screw pushes down on a slipper that pushes on the pinion which rolls across the rack bar.

Increasing pressure on this pushes the pinion into the rack bar insuring a good mesh.

If you tighten this too much you can feel the additional pressure required to turn the steering wheel. This will induce additional wear.

The perfect adjustment is enough pressure to engage the pinion in the rack bar but not too little to allow for poor meshing of the rack and pinion which will give you play in the steering.

It really is as simple as that .

Edited by phazed on Tuesday 17th January 16:53