Matt-mans 400se wheel problem steering rack????

[shithotfast]

Matt and I were checking the front wheel bearings after the MOT (which it passed with 2 new tyres) - but both front bearings had "play". So tightened up the near side fine, tried to tighten up the drivers side to reduce the (slight) play. No change. Changed the bearings (inner and outer as we had a spare set anyway) - still slight play.

I am sure its not the bearing now. If you rock the wheel top and bottom, no play - but side to side - slight play. Seems to be movement around either bottom ball joint but more likely the steering rack. Any adjustment possible on the steering rack "ends"??

[350zwelgje]

To my knowledge there is no adjustment possible at the steering rack ends. The steering rack housing is another thing. For example it seems that I have a little play in my steering (non PAS-checked at MOT and trackdays), but there is no play but a bit of movement somewhere! Someone pointed me in the direction of the steering housing. To overhaul this is not simple as it needs a type of 'pretension' etc. after reassembly. Looked into this, but haven't attacked my steering for this as at the moment it is perfect: the steering is so sharp that I need to 'think' where I what to go and the wedge does that perfectly. And that is good enough for me. Steering is even good enough to go drifting as well, wedge behaviour is another thing to master....

Rob

[djc1001]

Hi
I assume you know there should be a small amount of play in the front wheel bearings - they should not be tight or chance of locking up when hot.
No adjustment on the rack that I am aware of but have you checked with the rack powered up (engine running) this may take up slight play which would explain the MOT pass.

David

[leorest]

The specified (and it feels surprisingly large especially when felt at the edge of the wheel) amount of play is required to allow for thermal expansion and means that when everything has reached running temperature there is minimal play without risking seizing up. I have had several MOT advisories about wheel bearings needing adjustment when I know I have just set it to the correct value. I put this down to the tester only being familiar with modern Euro-boxes. Probably best to get hold of a clock gauge and mag base and make real measurements rather than guessing by feel. Once you've done it a few times with real measurements you'll be able to assess the play by feel accurately enough.

[shithotfast]

djc1001 said:

Hi
I assume you know there should be a small amount of play in the front wheel bearings - they should not be tight or chance of locking up when hot.
No adjustment on the rack that I am aware of but have you checked with the rack powered up (engine running) this may take up slight play which would explain the MOT pass.

David

Ok thanks all. It was only an "advisory" on the MOT and the play is minimal but only one side which worried me. I will make sure each wheel has a tiny bit of play when cold to allow for expansion.

[rev-erend]

Top to bottom test is for wheel bearings and side to side is the steering rack.. as far as I know.

[tempus]

Side to side play could be track rod end play,track rod ,or rack play,you need to watch whilst someone else moves the wheel.Tempus