G'day,
I'm in the process of doing up my 1963 850 and would like some advice as to whether I need to replace the steering rack. The car has done about 36,000 miles and hasn't been on the road since the mid 1980's. I've got the motor out of it and will soon have the subframes out as I get it ready for painting.

I've read that parts aren't available to repair my current rack and as far as replacement goes, the new ones are from a MK2 and as mine is a MK1, I'd also need to get new steering arms from a MK2 due to the tighter turning circle.

I was talking to a bloke the other day with a car much the same as mine and it's done nearly 80,000 miles and nearly everything is original, including the motor, so I'm wondering if mine would be ok as is?

Is there some way of checking mine to see if it's still OK?

Thanks, Rocky

I’m a total mechanical noob and I rebuilt mine. Replaced the shims and oil... seems fine but isn’t in the car yet.


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Zulu...

1967 mini Cooper S

You need to test whether the rack has excessive freeplay...that is, turning the steering wheel does not turn the road wheels...vibration at the steering wheel can also be a symptom.

Don't skimp or play around with your steering rack if you don't have the knowledge or skills necessary...take it to a specialist to overhaul...

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"Show me the Mini!"

If the rubber boots are not split and it is not obviously leaking oil, then the first thing to check is whether there is any free-play in the bush in the passenger side of the rack. Just grab the tie rod on that side as near to the rack as you can and see if there is any movement up and down or front to rear of the rack in the housing.
If it has movement, then I'd recommend rebuilding the rack. The original rack bush in that end is grease soaked felt, so is not the longest wearing part in the car.
The replacement nylon bush starts out really quite tight, so can make setting up the rack again a bit tricky, but gives good results.

There are parts available but with the low mileage on yours, you might find that if your rack has not leaked all the oil out, or got water back in it, that it doesn't need much in the way of parts even if the bush is worn.

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Don't listen to what I am saying... just understand what I mean.

Thanks for the info - I'll do the checks you blokes suggested.

The rubber boots are in really good nick and no oil leaks anywhere. As the mini was not a runner when I got it, I've only steered it onto a trailer and in the shed so don't know what's it like on the road.

Tim - thanks for the tip about the nylon bush part. I hadn't seen it on minisport or minispares but have found it on minikingdom.

Cheers, Rocky

If you have the original rack it’ll be a Mk1 UK made rack. Aussie ones started in 1964 and are different to UK Mk2 racks. See if you can find the part number cast into the body of the rack

Some extra reading for you:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=97121
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=96490

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Thanks mate - I'll see what I can find when I pull the subframe out.

Rocky