Help Please with Steering Rack For 350i

[gupper]

I have just taken ownership of a 1985 350i which has been garaged for 4 years. This is a non-power steering model and I have just been advised that the steering rack has seized (although it is Very Heavy the car does still steer).

Can anyone advise on a low cost solution (as funds are pretty tight at the moment) and / or where I can buy a new steering rack from and what make / model is required? Also, has anyone else experienced this problem?

Any help that you can provide will be gratefully received!

[jmorgan]

I was told my rack was knackered by a certain dealership (not a TVR one but the maker of said rack). Had it checked out with another garage chain for a second opinion and it was deemed fine. They spent 15 mins checking it and no charge. Heavy on slow manouvering but fine on the road.
Just my experiance in that department. It went on to pass 3 or 4 MOT's after.

[grady]

I would put the front frame (carefully) on jack stands and see if it turns better with the weight off.

[njhucker]

I recently had a reconditioned rack from penninsular. It cost less than £40, so they are not expensive.

If you have been used to driving a more modern car, or a car with thinner wheels, you will find it very heavy.

>> Edited by njhucker on Thursday 31st July 23:36

[sevans]

Check the steering column UJ's. Maybe give them a spray with WD40 and see if this improves things.

[danny hoffman]

rack maybe be off a MkV Cortina (my 280 definately was). But I agree - most likely cause is the UJs. If WD40 frees them up, you may want to think about changing them as they have probably rusted too much to be saved. Richard Thorpe repaired mine for a very reasonable price.

[TaSmania]

I recently had my manual rack overhauled as I fitted a "Quick Rack" kit. The rack kit was off a Mk 4 Cortina but the pinion spline was different from the one on the car. So took the rack off a knackered 280i and it was different again so the moral is that Ford probably did a few design changes during the Cortina's life or TVR fitted Mk3, 4 & 5 items!! Anyway, MCR in Leamington found a new rack body for me and completely rebuilt it with the quick rack kit as well as overhauling my original all for £35 - a bargain. (they are on 01926-457277) or if your in the Leamington area I'd do a deal on the overhauled original as I don't need it!!
GB

[danny hoffman]

Steering must be really heavy with a quick rack and no PAS!

[AM400]

sevans said:

Check the steering column UJ's. Maybe give them a spray with WD40 and see if this improves things.

I would go along with this check first. I had a similar problem with my 400, the top u/j had seized almost solid through lack of use!so if this car has been standing for 4 years this could well be the problem.

Andy.

[Graham]

TaSmania said:

MCR in Leamington found a new rack body for me and completely rebuilt it with the quick rack kit

have you run the car with the quick rack in it.

I know moore racing were having problems with the quickracks they sourced breaking up, and advised me to stick with the standard 300 turn rack... ( you should see the wheel twirling on the in car video)

[350matt]

I've still got my old manual series II '86 350 rack in the shed theres nothing wrong with it and you can have it for a fiver.
Also it'd be worth checking the condition of the balljoints as the lower ones can seize and make the steering heavy right up to the point when they fall apart

Matt

>> Edited by 350matt on Friday 1st August 16:08

[TaSmania]

Danny & Graham,
The quick rack is in the rally car project which is still at the chassis build stage though it is now complete and luuuuurvly - Aim is to have the full car ready for the Roush Manx National Rally next year!! (May) Thus 10 months to go and it's taken 6 years so far!! Graham - Andy's got half the hard top done so I aim to get the bit's off him and get the rest of the mould made elsewhere so will be in touch soon!!
GB