Discussion
I have a small issue with my steering rack and would need your advice.
The steering rack has no play at all, from steering input to the wheels the slightest move is transferred with no slack.
However there is a "clonk" quite often when initiating the turn to the right and i can see the little spline sticking out of the rack where connected to the UJ is having a small play in and out but also to the side when the clonk is heard.
To me it is clear there is some slack there.
By lifting the front wheels of the ground i tried to tighten the preload by the 36mm bolt and allen key.
By tightening the allen nut by about 20degrees the steering is slightly heavier (with the wheels off the ground) but now i notice that when turning the wheel from full left to full right i can feel at some places it lightens up a little bit. Something which cannot be felt it the preload is set up properly.
As expected the "Clonk" noise only happens when the wheels are on the ground and there is some resistance.
Obviously i need a new rack, after contacting Titan they offer no service and no parts to caterham racks so i have only the option of replacement
1. Are you aware of a place i can source a repair kit?
2. Is it dangerous to drive the car as is?
Cheers
The steering rack has no play at all, from steering input to the wheels the slightest move is transferred with no slack.
However there is a "clonk" quite often when initiating the turn to the right and i can see the little spline sticking out of the rack where connected to the UJ is having a small play in and out but also to the side when the clonk is heard.
To me it is clear there is some slack there.
By lifting the front wheels of the ground i tried to tighten the preload by the 36mm bolt and allen key.
By tightening the allen nut by about 20degrees the steering is slightly heavier (with the wheels off the ground) but now i notice that when turning the wheel from full left to full right i can feel at some places it lightens up a little bit. Something which cannot be felt it the preload is set up properly.
As expected the "Clonk" noise only happens when the wheels are on the ground and there is some resistance.
Obviously i need a new rack, after contacting Titan they offer no service and no parts to caterham racks so i have only the option of replacement
1. Are you aware of a place i can source a repair kit?
2. Is it dangerous to drive the car as is?
Cheers
The only sure way of telling if there is an issue in the rack is to strip it to check whether there is any demonstrable damage/wear to the teeth of the rack.
I'd also quickly check to see whether the ball joint on the end of the rack is tight, pull the boot off and check the lock nut/ball joint for play and the rod ends/ upper and lower ball joint.
Mine pings /creaks every now and then but I've gone through all of the moving parts and have satisfied 'myself' that the mechanical parts are ok.
Before you drive it, satisfy yourself.. alternatively call Redline components in Caterham who may be able to offer some advice, more likely then dealing with Caterham parts directly.
I'd also quickly check to see whether the ball joint on the end of the rack is tight, pull the boot off and check the lock nut/ball joint for play and the rod ends/ upper and lower ball joint.
Mine pings /creaks every now and then but I've gone through all of the moving parts and have satisfied 'myself' that the mechanical parts are ok.
Before you drive it, satisfy yourself.. alternatively call Redline components in Caterham who may be able to offer some advice, more likely then dealing with Caterham parts directly.
boy said:sdio said:
Correct so the options are either buy new now or postpone until the funds allow.
Would you say it is still safe to drive the car?
With all respect that's your decision....Would you say it is still safe to drive the car?
The question was with the intension of getting other people experience of similar description or a better understanding of the mechanical issues in hand.
😊
sdio said:
I have a small issue with my steering rack and would need your advice.
The steering rack has no play at all, from steering input to the wheels the slightest move is transferred with no slack.
However there is a "clonk" quite often when initiating the turn to the right and i can see the little spline sticking out of the rack where connected to the UJ is having a small play in and out but also to the side when the clonk is heard.
To me it is clear there is some slack there.
By lifting the front wheels of the ground i tried to tighten the preload by the 36mm bolt and allen key.
By tightening the allen nut by about 20degrees the steering is slightly heavier (with the wheels off the ground) but now i notice that when turning the wheel from full left to full right i can feel at some places it lightens up a little bit. Something which cannot be felt it the preload is set up properly.
As expected the "Clonk" noise only happens when the wheels are on the ground and there is some resistance.
Obviously i need a new rack, after contacting Titan they offer no service and no parts to caterham racks so i have only the option of replacement
1. Are you aware of a place i can source a repair kit?
2. Is it dangerous to drive the car as is?
Cheers
Hi all,The steering rack has no play at all, from steering input to the wheels the slightest move is transferred with no slack.
However there is a "clonk" quite often when initiating the turn to the right and i can see the little spline sticking out of the rack where connected to the UJ is having a small play in and out but also to the side when the clonk is heard.
To me it is clear there is some slack there.
By lifting the front wheels of the ground i tried to tighten the preload by the 36mm bolt and allen key.
By tightening the allen nut by about 20degrees the steering is slightly heavier (with the wheels off the ground) but now i notice that when turning the wheel from full left to full right i can feel at some places it lightens up a little bit. Something which cannot be felt it the preload is set up properly.
As expected the "Clonk" noise only happens when the wheels are on the ground and there is some resistance.
Obviously i need a new rack, after contacting Titan they offer no service and no parts to caterham racks so i have only the option of replacement
1. Are you aware of a place i can source a repair kit?
2. Is it dangerous to drive the car as is?
Cheers
As more information is now available I would like to consult your wisdom for further feedback.
As mentioned the "clonking" noise when turning to right can be reduced but not remediated by tightening the preload nut a tiny bit.
I removed the nut of the preload bolt and tried to take out the nylon thrust pad shoe with no success.
I then realised the rod end of the rack on the side where the steering column attached to it is having a huge play. See below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAVTrUKYBN4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dGFfQaZGww
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiZiIkDS73Y
After further checking and comparing with the opposite side it seems the bush number 7 from titan is installed from the other side but is missing from the side being closer to the steering column.
This is the drawing for an elise steering rack which i do not know to what extend this might be similar
http://www.titan.uk.net/_/uploads/casestudies/67/l...
Is this normal for a caterham rack?
All the slack is now taken by the preload nut!
Is this how it should be?
This is where the "clonking" noise is coming from, there is no slack nowhere else.
Thanks
There is no bush on that side and the rack is held firm by the pinion and nylon clamp. Reading the post through I suspect that this is an accident damaged rack and the 'clonk' is damage to the teeth. During an accident sequence the steering wheel will not turn fast enough to prevent tooth damage, and that causes a tight spot or clonk as it passes the pinion.
Edited by DCL on Saturday 20th May 04:51
Hi all,
I took a couple of videos which really summarize the lot.
Both videos where taken with the wheels on the ground as i was turning the steering wheel to the right.
One can clearly see the spline moving in and out when the "clonk" sound is heard. The pretension nut is now properly adjusted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu0bts8Llp8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8TWlu1uM0k
The in and out movement is of the order of 0.3mm as measured with a filler gauge higher up on the steering column where passing through the dashboard.
What can be done at this stage ?
If i put a circlip to keep the spline in place would that be any better?
Cheers
Vagelis
I took a couple of videos which really summarize the lot.
Both videos where taken with the wheels on the ground as i was turning the steering wheel to the right.
One can clearly see the spline moving in and out when the "clonk" sound is heard. The pretension nut is now properly adjusted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu0bts8Llp8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8TWlu1uM0k
The in and out movement is of the order of 0.3mm as measured with a filler gauge higher up on the steering column where passing through the dashboard.
What can be done at this stage ?
If i put a circlip to keep the spline in place would that be any better?
Cheers
Vagelis
Might be worth contacting a few Caterham sellers, or asking on the various facebook and forums if anyone is swapping a rack to alter the speed - I assume you have a quick rack, but it's conceivable someone is converting a racecar to road car and doing away with the quick rack in favour of a standard one. Can't hurt to ask anyway.
Hi,
Ok, Ok i am convinced and will have to bite the bullet and buy a new one.
What is the disadvantage of replacing my current rack which is a 22% with a 8%
Caterham was telling me on the phone that they do not encourage people to install the 22% for road use but only for track use.
The disadvantage they mentioned in that the effect of bumpsteer on the wheel is more pronounced with the 22%, however my car feels like having no such effect...
I was thinking that wear as a result of parking will be more on the 22% thus not recommended this for road use ???
On the road the 22% is not too quick, in my opinion it feels just right but really i havent tried another caterham to compare it with.
The 22% is about GBP368 vs 312 for the 8% but the main disadvantage is the 22% has nearly 1.5 month of waiting time vs on stock for the 8%!
What are your thoughts and opinion?
Which one should i order?
Thanks
Ok, Ok i am convinced and will have to bite the bullet and buy a new one.
What is the disadvantage of replacing my current rack which is a 22% with a 8%
Caterham was telling me on the phone that they do not encourage people to install the 22% for road use but only for track use.
The disadvantage they mentioned in that the effect of bumpsteer on the wheel is more pronounced with the 22%, however my car feels like having no such effect...
I was thinking that wear as a result of parking will be more on the 22% thus not recommended this for road use ???
On the road the 22% is not too quick, in my opinion it feels just right but really i havent tried another caterham to compare it with.
The 22% is about GBP368 vs 312 for the 8% but the main disadvantage is the 22% has nearly 1.5 month of waiting time vs on stock for the 8%!
What are your thoughts and opinion?
Which one should i order?
Thanks
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