Power Steering Rack Removal

[blueg33]

Does any one have a simple guide to this job on a MK1 Tuscan?

My gut feel is "how hard can it be?" but my mind says if thats what the gut says, it will actually be bloody difficult.

I am average with spanners, low on patience and space in the garage to work around the car.

[Macey]

Can't help with a guide but as far as I am aware the job is a PITA, I had mine replaced by RG as one of the seals had gone and the bill was north of £1k but I had the AA Warranty pay £475 towards the cost.

Not much help I'm afraid.

[S6 Devil]

I believe it is a PITA, if you use the search function (when it's working) I am sure there was an explanation of the removal process.
I was charged 5 hours labour to remove and refit mine. The recon of the rack was £160.
Turnaround for the rack repair was 3 days as long as you give him some notice so he can get the parts in. I used M &P steering, Unit 22, Pier Road Ind Estate, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 1RZ. 01634-576654
Excellent job and no leaks 2 years on.

[S6 Devil]

Found it, here you go:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

[Basil Brush]

It is a pain to do as everything around it needs moving to let it come out.

From memory (as it's a while since I swapped mine) oil and water tanks have to come out and oil cooler needs shifting to give the rack room to move. I disconnected the coolant pipes and mounts from the cooler and lifted it up to let the rack slide underneath but it wasn't ideal. Remove all the pipes from the rack, disconnect the UJ on the pinion input, undo the 4 mounting bolts and take the track rod ends off. Slide the rack across and out through the passenger side wheel arch as far as it can go before the input housing hits the chassis then point the other side track rod upwards and slide the rack back diagonally up and out through the top of the chassis.

I see Mike found the thread while I was messing about typing. I didn't realise it had been quite so long ago.

Edited by Basil Brush on Tuesday 13th December 17:33

[blueg33]

S6 Devil said:

Found it, here you go:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

Thanks, thats useful.

I was going to send my rack to Kiley Clinton

[blueg33]

Hmm - 5 or 6 hours of my time or £350 plus VAT to a tvr garage?

I might phone around

[m3jappa]

When having a rack reconditioned is it possible to have a different ratio? as i believe the later racks wern't quite so sensitive.

[blueg33]

I quite like the fast rack, its bump steer that I don't like. I will ask Kiley Clinton if there is an alternative