MOT Failure Help...

[bridgdav]

Just picked the car up from the garage...

MOT Fail...

Excess play to nearside steering rack inner joint..

I think it is the (ball.?)Joint at the inner end of the track rod...

1. Where can I get one..?
2. What car are they off..?
3. Is it TVR bespoke..?
4. I can't find anything in the Bible..?
5. Who can I call..? (don't say Ghostbusters)

Help please..

TIA
Dave

[HarryW]

Sounds like the near side end of the actual rack to me. I had play in both ends of mine a couple of years ago, Andy at APM got it sorted for a reasonable price, came back as good as new, including a full repaint. Give him a ring to see what he can do for you numbers in SPRINT, under the the small ads as 'APM Automotive'.

Harry

[pies]

If its the rack itself

from_another_site said:

Sports and Specialist Car Co told me that he had about 20 manufactured early last year. Give John a ring on :- Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Mobile: [phone] Mobile: [phone] www.sscarco.co.uk

Hope that helps

[keirangrogan]

I got a replacement rack and track rod ends from Tower View £150 ish.

Fairly simple to fit as long as your have basics plus a ball joint spliter, just four bolts plus the two on the joints.

[yellabelly]

pies said:

If its the rack itself from_another_site said: Sports and Specialist Car Co told me that he had about 20 manufactured early last year. Give John a ring on :- Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Mobile: [phone] Mobile: [phone] www.sscarco.co.uk Hope that helps

I recognise that quote! thats playjeerarism, plagrisim
errr! copied
Good heavens Colin you must have one hell of a filing system !!!
YB

[pies]

Nah,just a good memory

[bridgdav]

So it sounds like the Rack...

I've spoken to Andy APM(booked up till 23rd Nov - £???), Tower View(£160+vat - Recon with mine exchanged), SSCC(non in stock - Will be a few weeks)


Has anyone got an S3 Steering Rack...LeeBee..?

Any other ideas...

Cheers
Dave

[RichardR]

Failed? Nooooooooo!

Hope you get it all sorted soon Dave.

If you end up doing it yourself and need a hand, give me a shout. Weekends are normally tricky, but I can do most evenings.

[lwt]

I changed the rack this year. Tower View supplied an exchange recon one plus track rod ends (The guy 'up north' who had 20 built won't sell you one in case he runs out of them...go figure). Parcel Force are ok as carriers but you have to scrounge boxes & bubblewrap yourself.
Not a bad job, but take the opportunity to check the column UJ's and bush too (TVR bespoke, despite the Ford logo). Take the UJ clamp bolt completely out before trying to pull the UJ off the splines. Make sure that the UJ's are 90 deg out of line on assembly for smooth action. Don't drive it far before getting the tracking checked and adjusted.

Good luck,

Ian.

[bridgdav]

Blimey....

That was a hell of a new post from an S owner Lurker...

Thanx for the advice...
Dave

[bridgdav]

Right....

After an evening of scraped knuckles, trying to find a 32mm openended spanner, grit in my eyes, backache and a fair amount of cursing....

The steering rack is off the car.

Tower View wanted £160
David Gerald - None in stock - Would do a factory refurb...
Andy APM - can't do anything till 23rd
SSCC - Also None in stock.

ME - I can have a go the same day.

The nearside plastic bush is the cause for the failure. A simple bush which the Rack Rod runs in..
To get at it though means full removal of track rods and Rack etc...

Now to find a source for the Bush...

I can post pics of the full job if its needed...?

[RichardR]

bridgdav said:

Now to find a source for the Bush...

I gather the US is a good place to find a Bush at the moment!

[bridgdav]

Its all back together....

The failure was indeed the plastic bush on the nearside of the rack, In the end I had a new one machined locally....And a couple of spares

The failure was caused by the main rod becoming pitted and a bit of surface rust over time, then acting as an abrasive to wear the bush.

I would recommend that you all, grease or check the nearside bush for lubrication....

Just remove the clip on the gaitor, slide back, steer to full left lock and inspect the rod and bush...

Then pack it with Grease.
You might see and feel the difference...


A couple of pics..

Rusty Rod.



Shiney Rod.


New Bush - Ready to go..


Assembled again.



Forgot to Add.

Re MOT this afternoon. (fingers crossed)

>> Edited by bridgdav on Thursday 11th November 10:56

[RichardR]

bridgdav said:

Re MOT this afternoon. (fingers crossed)

How did you get on?

[bridgdav]

HHHHHOOOOOOOONNNNN Away...

Car passed no problem...

The inspector was most impressed with the result and how quick the turn around was...

'As it was a TVR and they don't make their own bits'... he thought it would take weeks to sort out...

I'm really glad I done it myself, rather satisfying if I must say...

The car needs a good clean and polish and all will be well.

[ukbob]

[RichardR]

bridgdav said:

Car passed no problem...

Excellent!

bridgdav said:

I'm really glad I done it myself, rather satisfying if I must say...

It does engender a huge sense of self-satisfaction when you complete that sort of job! Good on ya mate!

[Pies]

Nice one Dave

what sort of grease,im thinking of lithium based, or is something else more suited ?

[mmickgoodall]

Dave. You could try gilson engieering near tescos on the a339 in newbury.
They repair and make steering assemblys.