Steering Rack Refurb - Western Power Steering

[ukkid35]

I can offer a qualified recommendation for Western Power Steering. I used them once many years ago including their remove/refit service. This time I asked them to refurb the Cerb rack that I'd removed myself. They quoted £225 ++, and charged the same despite a hitch that delayed the job by a few days. The rack has only been back on the car for a 100 miles, but the sticky valve issue that prompted the refurb has been fixed and I am very happy with the results.

The reason the recommendation is qualified is that the flat on the pinion splines where the bolt secures the UJ was not in the original orientation. That may not be an issue if you remove the steering wheel, but I didn't want to disturb it, so that necessitated a minor modification to the steering column shaft in order to centre the steering wheel.

Finally, I would strongly recommend replacing the hard lines with flexi hoses, this will save a lot of swearing when trying to R&R the rack. The reason I didn't remove the hard lines was concern about getting dirt in the hydraulics.

[camel_landy]

FWIW - I have used them a couple of times previously, on other cars and have been very pleased with the results. I have no problems recommending them either it's good to hear that they are able to tackle the Cerb units too.

M

[haircutmike]

you could have repositioned the steering wheel on its spline.

[ukkid35]

haircutmike said:

you could have repositioned the steering wheel on its spline.

I was nervous about damaging the ribbon cable, so decided it was easier to machine the shaft.

[haircutmike]

Ah, and I'm used to something more basic .

[Boosted Cerb]

No need to take the steering wheel off, its not a spline anyway, more like a hex bar.

Where the steering column goes into the top UJ, inside the wheel arch, the spline is cut with the groove all the way round, so you can reposition the steering wheel there. You've just cut the same at the rack end. Double adjustment

Rich.

[ukkid35]

Thoughts from a friend:

The position of the shaft does matter ... because although the steering wheel can still be centred, the steering lock will lock in a different position and the universal joint may not be bent on one of its axis at the straight ahead position, meaning that the feel of the steering will not be perfectly symmetric. (Remember, universal joints do not transfer constant rotational speed from the input to the output, hence the need for CV joints on axles). Smiffy

[Gazzab]

There's no steering lock though...

[ukkid35]

Gazzab said:

There's no steering lock though...

He means orientation, rather than antitheft device.

[ukkid35]

Things did not work put with the Western Power Steering refurb, so I have just had the rack repaired again, this time by M&P Steering in Gillingham (for a very competitive price).

I described the problem (massive play) to Kiley-Clinton and they turned down the business, and I am grateful to them for their reticence, even if it may have been misplaced.

The M&P rack has not been fitted yet, but I will report back once it is, either way Bradley is a nice guy to deal with.

Edited by ukkid35 on Friday 18th January 22:03

[pmessling]

Where is the play Paul. I have play in mine. If holding the wheel straight there is slack before the take up of the steering input. I suspect the pinion and was either going to get a new one from racing green or get a new one machined.

Was going to try what I think you suggested at turning the pinion gear after slacking it right off so not to catch on the rack.

[ukkid35]

Turning the pinion thru 180 was a great temporary fix, I got another 3k or so out of the rack before the issue returned.

M&P tell me they've replaced all the bushes and seals and that has tightened it up. But I've not even taken it out of the boot yet, only picked it up earlier this evening.

[pmessling]

Think ill give that a try then myself.

[phazed]

Just be aware, I had my rack "repaired" 3 times and it still had play.

Kielly Clinton were the only ones to send it back stating the couldn't improve on the play that the rack had as it needed a new rack bar and pinion and these were not available now!

[Boosted Cerb]

A project for the future that I might look at is whether we could use a Subaru Impreza steering rack similar to how Steve has fitted in a griff.

Obviously the Cerb rack sits different and they'll be a load of issues to over come but it could be a good starting point for anyone wanting to invest a bit of time playing about with one.

Food for thought......
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Rich.

[phazed]

Scooby rack fitted to my chim same a Steves.

[jammy_basturd]

Aren't Readman Racing/Grantura Engineering the boys at sorting these racks out? If you do a search apparently there are some mods they do to the racks to stop issues reoccurring.

[phazed]

jammy_basturd said:

Aren't Readman Racing/Grantura Engineering the boys at sorting these racks out? If you do a search apparently there are some mods they do to the racks to stop issues reoccurring.

Don't think so.

I had a P/S rack from them with a bit of play in and they couldn't rectify it.

[ukkid35]

ukkid35 said:

The M&P rack has not been fitted yet, but I will report back once it is, either way Bradley is a nice guy to deal with.

It would be unfair to say the rebuild has made no difference, it is perhaps 30% better. Whether that is enough to get it past even the most friendly MOT inspector is doubtful.

[phazed]

ukkid35 said:

ukkid35 said:

The M&P rack has not been fitted yet, but I will report back once it is, either way Bradley is a nice guy to deal with.

It would be unfair to say the rebuild has made no difference, it is perhaps 30% better. Whether that is enough to get it past even the most friendly MOT inspector is doubtful.

I'm sorry to hear that.

See my previous posts, I was never lucky with TiV P/S racks being refurbed.

I must of had my rack(s) out about 8-10 times, I lost count!