how hard can it be to change a steering rack?

[Paul V]

Well the answer to that question is very!

Took the old rack out today and was a nightmare of a job, turns out you need to take the oil and water tanks out so you can bring the rack out through the chassis, after much swearing I finally got the rack out. Not looking forward to getting it back in once it's been repaired!

[andyoleary]

Crikey! Fair play to you for giving it a go yourself Paul, hope you get it sorted and back in soon,

Andy

[Paul V]

I a way I wish I'd left it to a garage but sure if I need to do it again it will be much quicker as know what is needed now.

[andyoleary]

Yeah, always easier 2nd time around... not that you'd want there to be a 2nd time eh!

Andy

[Paul V]

Well no but after having to do the clutch twice it's quite possible

[andyoleary]

Did you swap out the old AP clutch for a new clever trevor version?

Andy

[Paul V]

Yeah I change the clutch after the butterfly spring failed on one of the back plates. while I was doing that I changed the seals in the slave cylinder which wasn't leaking, only to have it start leaking again a month later. so had to have it all back out again and have fitted the Clever Trevor slave cylinder as well now. Keith at CT was very helpful and really went out his way to help me get the extra parts that were needed.

[andyoleary]

Yeah, Keith seems to be a good guy. He helped me out with my clutch too, great service. See you soon maybe,

Andy

[s6boy]

Sorry if this is answered elsewhere but are you taking the rack out to replace it with a slower one or even a mk2 electric rack?

[Paul V]

No just getting mine refurbished. Did think about a mk2 steering but wanted it back on the road quickly so just went for a refurb. may look into that at a later date but now I'm used to the steering now so not sure it's worth it.

Rack is back on, just waiting on few parts, had to drain the oil so while doing that though might as well do a full oil change and filter.

[southgate]

Just done my rack for the 2nd time!!

For the record you can do it without removing water tank. Just need to loosen a few things off and squeeze it past. Oil tank has to go, no doubt.

Bell hill sent me a re-cond one off the shelf as soon as they received my leaky one. £295 + VAT if anyone searches for previous posts

www.bellhillgarage.com

[Paul V]

I paid £180 to get my rack reconditioned with a 12 month 12000 mile warranty. Had a nightmare getting the steering aligned again dues to a error removing the rack, all sorted today though, going to to it to get the alignment checked tomorrow.