power steering rack

[Number 7]

Anyone had their rack refurbed by Kiley Clinton, and did you come to any conclusions about its origin? There seem to be numerous threads, bu few definitive answers that I could see, other than it will either be a late Cortina (V6?) or a Supra (not Toyota!). Will phone them anyway but just wondered if anyone had already been down that route?

[Number 7]

Cheers chaps. Phoned them today. They said there is an ally cased version and a steel cased version. I suspect mine is the latter from memory, but will check. £295 plus vat for basic refurb, unless something more major is worn.

[Number 7]

350zwelgje said:

only for parking or drifting the wedge.

Rob

You've seen me in action at Zolder

[Number 7]

Ok, so work is progressing. Rack is definitely a Ford fitment - the name is cast into the housing. Everything is disconnected, and I'm at the stage of attempting to remove it from the car. Does anyone know whether its necessary to disconnect and move the ARB out of the way, and / or whether the pinion assembly needs to be removed in situ to clear the chassis (or even whether the latter is advisable - I'd rather not have to install the pinion once the rack is back on the car)?

[Number 7]

Thanks Brian - I thought I probably would have to take out the ARB, but wanted to check whether someone had already done the job.

Mark, yes, mine's an '89 car. TVR ....whatever was lying around at the time I guess.

[Number 7]

Finally got it removed. I thought I could get away with just swinging the ARB down. No.Then I thought it would work if I removed one of the drop links. No. So had to remove the ARB completely, and after a bit of jiggling, it's free.

Definitely Ford, although what the mish-mash of other stamped numbers on it are who knows - a right mess.

[Number 7]

Update:

All coming together now - rack back from Kiley Clinton, ARB cleaned up and painted, new track rod ends, new ARB bushes (note: the Superflex bushes are not split as the previously fitted versions were, i.e. you need to push them over the end of the bar and into place, which is fine if the bar is off as in my case, but a pit of a pain if not. Alternatively, it would be easy enough to split them). Chassis around the rack area cleaned and painted, second coat tomorrow. To be continued.



edit: whilst fitting the ARB bushes, I discovered that they are split after all - just not obvious until I started to bend them.

Edited by Number 7 on Sunday 20th September 16:57

[Number 7]

Just to wrap this up, has a geo check today at Dan Taylor. Needed some adjustment at the back (crabbing apparently!) of the camber and toe, plus a very small tweak to the front toe. Car feels so much better know - doesn't want to jump around on rough roads so much, and just feels more planted. Well worthwhile. While it was there he also dropped the sump to check the cam - all looking fine.

[Number 7]

mrzigazaga said:

Hi Paul...Did you change the tie bar/Leading link and drop link bushes as well?...If so what did you use, My front end shakes about way too much...I have a feeling the inserts will need machining on the leading link bushes...I have an MOT Friday so i will see what they say about it...Cheers...Ziga

Mark,I put polybushes onto the leading link /tie bars years ago, and they still seem fine. As for the drop link, I fitted SH versions with rod ends, also a few years ago, so no rubber / poly bushes there at all. Assume you've looked at the wheel bearing adjustment and things like the 2 steering column ujs for wear /tightness of the bolts, upper and lower ball joints, track rod ends etc? As you say, the MOT will identify any significant problems.

[Number 7]

mrzigazaga said:

Thanks Paul...I did have the rack rebuilt..New track rod ends..Drop link bushes..ARB bushes..Wheel bearings checked and adjusted..(3 months ago)..And the tie bar/Leading link done...Its mainly because i used polybushes and the steel inserts are apparently a tad too long due to the collar being on the bush instead of having the collared washers...Which i now have and will need to fit...Yes i will see what the MOT guy says....

Cheers...Ziga

Who did the geo check Mark?

[Number 7]

mrzigazaga said:

I had it done at Dans but it might need doing again...I definitely need to sort the issue out with the bushes as its horrendous on a slightly bumpy road...Feels like an old horse and cart...I had the balljoints replaced and while i was at had the bushes changed...The car was a lot stiffer before this and they were only changed due to their age...Im not ageist by the way...

Dan is pretty good IME. He noticed that there was a slight clunk from my back end, and cured it by tightening up one or two of the wishbone bolts. What about your front wishbone bushes? Nuts tight? Dampers ok?