Steering rack issues
Discussion
Having drismally failed the last MOT due to the guy's dog dying, his wife leaving him, his house being re-possessed and him having crap Xmas presents he decided to take out his frustrations out on my car! Therefore I need some advice to remedy the three pages of failures.
He said 'you got free play in the steering rack and you need to change it'. Now I was thinking that it may not be the rack but the ball joints in the rods sticking out either side of the rack (the other end has the track rod on it).
If you turn the wheel you can feel a small amount of play through the rubber gaiters either side which indicates to me that the ball joints are worn. Can you get these rods separately?
MikeB
He said 'you got free play in the steering rack and you need to change it'. Now I was thinking that it may not be the rack but the ball joints in the rods sticking out either side of the rack (the other end has the track rod on it).
If you turn the wheel you can feel a small amount of play through the rubber gaiters either side which indicates to me that the ball joints are worn. Can you get these rods separately?
MikeB
[bodgers tip 1]Remove the gaitors and pack loads of fresh grease in there, it can help, or find another MoT station![/bodgers tip 1]
[bodgers tip 2]Remve the rack, de-grease it, clean it up ets, give it a coat of satin black and put it back on[/bodgers tip 2]
In short yes you can get the parts to overhaul the racks, but they're typically trade only and I've never been able to find an autofactor that will sell them me, if you find one let me know please!
Regards
Iain
[bodgers tip 2]Remve the rack, de-grease it, clean it up ets, give it a coat of satin black and put it back on[/bodgers tip 2]
In short yes you can get the parts to overhaul the racks, but they're typically trade only and I've never been able to find an autofactor that will sell them me, if you find one let me know please!
Regards
Iain
IIRC my rack had been worked on at some point: the rack end balljoints had had their locknuts welded up(!) instead of pinned.
In theory you could drill out the pins, nip up the joints then re-pin or weld them.
Another possibility is that the nylon bushes at the ends could wear: on my rack they were OK but would be worth checking.
There's also an O-ring that seals the rack tube to the pinion housing to keep the PAS fluid in: this may leak once you've disturbed it so worth changing it if you have the rack in bits.
I'm assuming PAS rack here...
In theory you could drill out the pins, nip up the joints then re-pin or weld them.
Another possibility is that the nylon bushes at the ends could wear: on my rack they were OK but would be worth checking.
There's also an O-ring that seals the rack tube to the pinion housing to keep the PAS fluid in: this may leak once you've disturbed it so worth changing it if you have the rack in bits.
I'm assuming PAS rack here...
You have the right of appeal with an MOT. Also, in the case of failures on multiple items it might be wise to contact the MOT executive and either report him or ask for advice. An MOT licence can be cancelled as much for failing too much as for failing too little.
I've had a car failed in the past for multiple items, then took it to the nearest large town 16 miles away and had it tested by the same people who had tested it for 9 years or so running (prior to purchase by me) - just replaced one tyre with the one in the boot and drove away with a new ticket.
On the original test, one of the items failed was rear door handles (4 door car). This item does not even form part of the test!
Following this and another experience, I never have a car MOT'd around here anymore.
JJ
I've had a car failed in the past for multiple items, then took it to the nearest large town 16 miles away and had it tested by the same people who had tested it for 9 years or so running (prior to purchase by me) - just replaced one tyre with the one in the boot and drove away with a new ticket.
On the original test, one of the items failed was rear door handles (4 door car). This item does not even form part of the test!
Following this and another experience, I never have a car MOT'd around here anymore.
JJ
Well mine failed on:-
The wrong colour headlight bulbs.
Nearside / offside headlamp not in good working order 'which is adversely affecting beam image'.
Steering column top mounting bracket insecure.
Rear exhaust has a major leak of exhuast gas (aye' through the big round thing at the back!).
Nearside / offside front tie rod bush deteriorated.
Nearside pivot point has excessive play.
Offside steering pivot has excessive play.
Exhaust hydrocarbon content excessive.
Oh and the passenger door handle does not work.
Then......
Steering column universal joint has slight play.
Nearside / offside rear tie rod bush has deteriorated resulting in excessive play.
Front and rear wheel bearing has slight play.
Don't you just love Mots?
MikeB
The wrong colour headlight bulbs.
Nearside / offside headlamp not in good working order 'which is adversely affecting beam image'.
Steering column top mounting bracket insecure.
Rear exhaust has a major leak of exhuast gas (aye' through the big round thing at the back!).
Nearside / offside front tie rod bush deteriorated.
Nearside pivot point has excessive play.
Offside steering pivot has excessive play.
Exhaust hydrocarbon content excessive.
Oh and the passenger door handle does not work.
Then......
Steering column universal joint has slight play.
Nearside / offside rear tie rod bush has deteriorated resulting in excessive play.
Front and rear wheel bearing has slight play.
Don't you just love Mots?
MikeB
Don't you just love brother in laws who are mot qualified. 
Pass every year, with both of us replacing any bits that actually need doing as would still like a road worthy car. Although we have never been able to pass properly on the emissions.
Plus the work is easier in a proper garage with lifts and normally the correct tools, although he hated me for taking the rear diff apart to replace a leaking oil seal last year.
A pity he does not do twin wheelers ala WSV !!
Pass every year, with both of us replacing any bits that actually need doing as would still like a road worthy car. Although we have never been able to pass properly on the emissions.
Plus the work is easier in a proper garage with lifts and normally the correct tools, although he hated me for taking the rear diff apart to replace a leaking oil seal last year.
A pity he does not do twin wheelers ala WSV !!
I had the same experience on mine though my car failed due to the outriggers being shot to pieces. I had all sorts of joints advised as being on their way out though the tester reckons that my lower steering bush was worn to excess - when I asked him exactly where that was...he couldn't tell me!
~The guy who did the MOT was computered up to the max. He was also running about an hour behind due to 'computer issues' and was even more pissed when he noticed that he had to take the car out on a road test due to the Limited slip diff not working on his brake tester.
It took him about half an hour selecting things off the menu to fail me on.
MikeB
It took him about half an hour selecting things off the menu to fail me on.
MikeB
Sorry to hear the MOT Ba&^*9ds 
have caused you so much grief! (Give a Man A Title eh!)- hope you can get it sorted without too much agro Mike.
Not that I`m endorsing following this route but earlier in the year Neil @ TVRCarparts did say they had a new 400 series rack in their stock (Good) However he wanted £590.00
for it!!! (bad).
have caused you so much grief! (Give a Man A Title eh!)- hope you can get it sorted without too much agro Mike. Not that I`m endorsing following this route but earlier in the year Neil @ TVRCarparts did say they had a new 400 series rack in their stock (Good) However he wanted £590.00
for it!!! (bad).Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff