Steering bulkhead bush

[gas mart 1]

When trying to locate another steering fluid leak last night...i noticed the bulkhead bush is badly worn. Can anyone advise on where to get a replacement.....any tips on how to replace it most welcome.....oh and anyone got a spare rack......I think mine has had it ...I had it reconditioned about 18months ago by a well recommended company ….they did manage to tighten the rack but it is still noisy and has been returned under guarantee to have one leak fixed... now the guarantee has expired .its leaking again. I guess these racks are hard to come by.....I would go to manual steering... I think the Mrs.. would find it to heavy.
cheers
martin

[phillpot]

gas mart 1 said:

the bulkhead bush is badly worn. Can anyone advise on where to get a replacement.....any tips on how to replace it most welcome.

Google search "Pistonheads TVR Wedge bulkhead bearing"

[Yatesy350i]

Hi Martin

I have a complete manual steering reach setup including the slightly longer joining shaft you will need as the PAS lower shaft is slightly shorter.

We can sort something out when I get back from leave next week. I personally would stay with PAS. I've drive none PAS cars and they where fine. However mine was not nice at all very heavy steering even after getting everything correctly alined and replacing steering column bush etc.

Regards Karl.

[gas mart 1]

Many thanks for the replies..i will do the google search regarding the bush... .thanks for the offer Karl... I will try to retain the PAS if possible....just plucking at sraws at the moment.
cheers
martin

[billynobrakes]

gas mart 1 said:

Many thanks for the replies..i will do the google search regarding the bush... .thanks for the offer Karl... I will try to retain the PAS if possible....just plucking at sraws at the moment.
cheers
martin

you could always convert to electric power steering, no seals to go wrong, plus they are adjustable, Vauxhall Corsa fit, I have it on my 450SE and I much prefer it, specially when parking

[gas mart 1]

billynobrakes said:

you could always convert to electric power steering, no seals to go wrong, plus they are adjustable, Vauxhall Corsa fit, I have it on my 450SE and I much prefer it, specially when parking

I do like the idea of going electric. Is it a difficult job to convert... which parts would I need... our car is an 88 ,350i
cheers
martin.

[billynobrakes]

gas mart 1 said:

I do like the idea of going electric. Is it a difficult job to convert... which parts would I need... our car is an 88 ,350i
cheers
martin.

My 450 came with it on when I bought it, I am sure if you did a search it will come up as others have done it

[wooly350i]

Ian wedg1e kindly made one for me, don’t know if he’s still using the machines

[Pumpkin123]

I had a little look into this a while ago and there is various bits of info on the web about it:

http://www.super7thheaven.co.uk/blog/corsa-c-elect...

or

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

if you google "corsa electric power steering", various links come up but I couldn't find much for a wedge. (Didn't look too hard to be fair).

Looks like you just need to create a speed and rpm input to control level of powered assistance to steering.

As I say I'm no expert as I've never done it but just some info I trawled up which may be of use.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Martin

I had to have it done on the 280i as the old power steering pump was in the way of the supercharger....We used a Citroen saxo EPS which basically replaced the mechanical pump...There was a small amount of wiring needed and a switch IIRC was put on after I sold her so that you could use the power steering if you needed to without the engine running..The feedback from the unit was identical to the mechanical pump assist.

Ziga

[gas mart 1]

The pump is all ok Mark, Its the rack that's had it....just keeps on leaking fluid. Not sure if its worth spending any more money on it, but due to rarity of the racks I don't think I have any choice, the electric option looks a bit of a challenge with my basic mechanical skills.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi mate


You might be better off getting the rack rebuilt again...who did it last time?...
Do you have the Cortina PAS rack or the TVR engineering "Supra" rack?

Ziga

[gas mart 1]

Kiley Clinton reconditioned the rack 18months ago, I sent it back 6 months later because the seal around the input shaft started leaking. they kindly fixed this without any charge to me, Its leaking again but from a different place this time.. lots of fluid over the o/s gaitor. Not 100% sure but I think its the Supra rack... I cant see any Ford logo in the casting. The rack has a traditional horse shoe type mount with rubber bush,
on the n/s ..the o/s has a flat plate with 2 bolt holes and a locating pin... no bush.. Do the Ford and Supra racks have the same mountings... can one be swapped for the other without altering the chassis ?

cheers
martin

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Martin


Not sure as regards to the fixings but I cannot see TVR making changes to fixing positions...so the fixings should be the same...Hopefully someone will confirm this.

This is what the "Supra" rack looks like...



If it is leaking into the gaiters then it will need a refurb...again....sometimes parts are not replaced, just cleaned and refitted...sounds like the seals have gone...I have had two racks rebuilt by Power steering services and never had any issues since...


Ziga

[gas mart 1]

Yep that's the culprit ….. I put the front on ramps tonight and crawled under... there is a constant drip coming from the join just below the spigot ...I presume there is a gasket of some sort that's failed....annoying!!!

[mrzigazaga]

Sounds like it matey...whereabouts in south west are you?...Perhaps its worth trying a different company.....