Hey guys, i just wanted to skite a bit,
I undid the first bolt at 1pm.....(today..)
had the rack out in 30 mins, new rack is already in, only a few "tweaks" left to do (like alignment) but for all intents and purposes.. a 2 hour steering rack change, incredible !!

J

_________________

Will you do the alignment yourself or get someone else to do it? Great job by the way. It took me at least a halfie to get mine out yesterday and that was without the motor in. (I couldn't work out how to disconnect the steering column)

Myself, GRAHAM_IN_AUs showed me how to make an alignment jig with two axle stands and some string !

last time i changed a steering rack, it took me about 7 hours total...!!

J

_________________

Took me about 8 or 9 hours a few weeks ago as some would remember from my posts. But in fairness I have done very little work on mini's so I'm on a steep learning curve!!

_________________
Bob Slattery
Duffman Says A Lot of Things - OH YEAH!!

You da man Jim!

_________________
Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Of course you know now that anyone who needs one done will be coming to you J

Thats Quick mate 5 hours here and that was my first

_________________
Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

I have heard it said that you don't need to drop the subrame down to get the rack in and out... i wonder if Kazjim worked this one out for himself. It was something about undoing it all and twisting the rack toward the car(could be the other way) and then it will pull out to the driverside(could be the otherway) So how did you do it so quickly. I am sure everyone will want to know the trick.

Cheers

Aaron

_________________

If i told you my secret, I'd have to kill you all ..... and well, I've grown kinda fond of you guys and gals ......

Nahh, here's my technique....

Jack car from front of subframe and support on axle stands under the "lower arm"
undo and take out the tie-rod ends
undo all the subframe bolts (Its supported by the axle stands at this point)
lowered the subframe a "little" - about 2"
remove lower steering column bolt (7/16")
Remove top steering column bolt and remove.....
Undo all 4 U Bolt nuts (inside the cabin)
pull out steering rack through wheel arch....

check new rack

Thread rack through the holes (using subframe "towers as leverage points to "lift" the body enough to slide new rack in. . . )
CABLE TIE THE RACK INTO POSITION (thats the secret part)
take U Bolts and check for "spread" (mine were about 3/16" spread so i colsed them up with Vise-Grips to be a sliding fit over the old rack)
assembly is now the reverse of the disassembly !
Drink cold beers in a HOT shower.....(this is my own little step....)

The tricks are the cable ties and the U bolts.. they seem to "spread" over time and you just CANT slip them back into the holes easily.. close them up a little and they just slide in. . . . .

Cheers all
J

_________________