Power steering
Discussion
HELP Please, looks like im going to have to recon my power steering rack and pump, pump is leaking and steering movement is stiffer in one direction. Looked on Rimmer bros and I think I can get a pump from them but has anyone out there got a recommendation for sorting the power steering rack preferably south of Birmingham, thinking of getting some tax on it this month as well. I don't want to convert it to manual coz im southern softy and its supposed to have it anyway, comments greatly received in anticipation, John.
TVRIK said:
I may be wrong but I think there is one on eBay down as TVR Tasmin - 450 SEAC steering rack.
300 quid though.
Sorry if I have this wrong. Also could seem to see how to copy the link, but you should find it from that.
Yeh thanks,I am watching it but I don't want to get the wrong one not at that price.300 quid though.
Sorry if I have this wrong. Also could seem to see how to copy the link, but you should find it from that.
Not sure if its tvr specific, Cortina or Granada, perhaps some peeps could throw some light,John.
The pump's just an ex-SD1 item, Montegos had a similar unit with shorter filler neck.
Where's it leaking from? There are only two - well OK three - likely points; the biggest culprit is probably the Jubilee-clipped low pressure return hose. The LP hose hardens with age, heat and oil exposure. Next could be the banjo union of the high-pressure line, and the third is the large O-ring that seals the main casting into the stamped tin outer casing.
The ex-Cortina rack has an O-ring sealing the main rack tube into the end casting; I found that if the rack is not bolted down REALLY securely, hydraulic pressure can push the cast ends off the tube, so the O-ring leaks. I found this out after I'd painted the rack and the chassis... the pressure of the bolts caused the paint to be squeezed out, allowing the rack to loosen up.
There's also a seal around the pinion shaft (the bit the steering column is clamped to); in all the time I've had my car that seal has had a very slight weep but I've never had it apart to find out what needs replacing. Might be as daft as an O-ring, but more likely something like a quad ring.
Where's it leaking from? There are only two - well OK three - likely points; the biggest culprit is probably the Jubilee-clipped low pressure return hose. The LP hose hardens with age, heat and oil exposure. Next could be the banjo union of the high-pressure line, and the third is the large O-ring that seals the main casting into the stamped tin outer casing.
The ex-Cortina rack has an O-ring sealing the main rack tube into the end casting; I found that if the rack is not bolted down REALLY securely, hydraulic pressure can push the cast ends off the tube, so the O-ring leaks. I found this out after I'd painted the rack and the chassis... the pressure of the bolts caused the paint to be squeezed out, allowing the rack to loosen up.
There's also a seal around the pinion shaft (the bit the steering column is clamped to); in all the time I've had my car that seal has had a very slight weep but I've never had it apart to find out what needs replacing. Might be as daft as an O-ring, but more likely something like a quad ring.
wooly350i said:
Thanks for the reply Ian,are you saying its Cortina and not Granada then? Was it fettled by tvr or left alone, the main point apart from leak is the stiffer turning one way than the other, I'm assuming that means wear.
I was told some years back, and some evidence on my rack supports it, that the rack is Cortina but the track rods are ex-Granada as the Wedge has a wider track than the Cortina.Not sure what sort of wear would result in one-sided stiffness, it would sound more like a misalignment, though it isn't really feasible to put the rack on incorrectly!
I guess it could be the spool valve not allowing fluid through one way... so it's not that the rack is 'stiffer' per se, just that it isn't applying as much effort in one direction.
I've never seen a really good exploded diagram of the spool valve to be able to point a finger.
Danny Hoffman said:
I understood that a leaking internal seal could cause it to be heavier in one direction. I've never had one apart to check exactly how it works.
Could well be... though as I recall, the 'ram' on mine is a long rod with a central disc almost the size of the outer tube bore, with one big seal on it... so you'd think if it leaked one way, it'd leak the other!wooly350i said:
Spoke with another knowledgeable wedger today and although the power racks were knocked out by supra engineering, my rack 95% sure its got a ford stamp on it so presumably fettled by supra to widen track?
The Supra-modified rack came later, presumably 'cos Ford had no Cortina ones left propping doors open 
The Ford one was made by CamGears (it'll have the CG ellipse logo on the left-hand end casting).
Bobby Shaftoe said:
Mine is leaking like a bugger from the return union at the steering rack itself, any tips for sealing these up? So far tightening and ptfe tape have done bugger all.
The connection is a inward cone on the rack and a mating concical protrusion on the connector, doesn't look like there is any provision for o-rings or the like.
No, it shouldn't have or need O-rings; but if there's the slightest damage on the conical faces then it is hard to get a leak-tight seal. It's a standard hydraulic connector.The connection is a inward cone on the rack and a mating concical protrusion on the connector, doesn't look like there is any provision for o-rings or the like.
I think the threaded union on the rack is also screwed-in, you sure it isn't leakng from that thread?
Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff