I have now rebuild around 60 racks over the years for various people.... including a couple of Mini parts shops.
NOTE: these are only the Oz made racks, made by Cam Gears Aust.
Most parts for UK racks are now NLA. And their latest ones (made God knows where, but not UK) are unserviceable.
Always replaced:-
pinion seal
rack bush (I fit a lurethane one)
2 rubber boots (gaiter) kit
oil (200mL of Castrol LSX 85W/140)
2x belleville (wave) washers
If worn or rusted:
bearings
pinion
inner tierod joints
Rejected:
body, if bent
rack inner, if bent or worn
tierods, if bent or worn
rack inner joint locknut, if used more than once.
It is important to set the preload properly on the bearings and the rack buffer. Refer to a workshop manual (which has the Oz or early UK rack in it).
I do NOT use grease, most all the racks I've stripped that had old grease were badly worn or rusted inside. The rack cuts a track through it then no lube.
The original spec for these racks was gear oil, it sloshes end to as you drive and keeps everything well lubed. So that's why I use it.
