I've got a great rack, but 1 tie rod is bent, just before the thread. Don't want nor am I willing to get it straightened. I've got another rack to pilfer for parts, how hard is it to change. The manual suggests I'd need special tool XXXXX. Any other way?

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

_________________
Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

Best way I find is to hold rack by the teeth in soft vice jaws, then use 2 pipe wrenches to hold the locking ring and undo the ball `nut' on the LH end. Then repeat for RH end.
If you have trouble holding the hardened ball nut, put one flat on it with a grinder.
I'd strip the rack and overhaul it whilst it's out. If an Oz rack, the wear parts are still available.
If you do it up properly it'll be good for another 20 years. Unlike some of the cheapo racks coming in these days....

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

When you say great rack....do you mean it looks good

How did the tie rod end get bent...the rack innards should be checked and definitely at the damaged end

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

Well, yeh I meant it looks good, things like the oil wasn't full of crap and there was no noticeable were and tear on any specific parts that I noticed.

Got the end changed over, started putting the rack back together, somehow I've managed to gouge the main shaft of the rack, the little yoke piece must have been sitting crooked. Will this be a problem? I was going to file down the sticking up bits.

Take all the burrs off it. When you assemble it, I'd use EP90 or EP140 gear oil (like they were originally), not grease. Every greased one I've stripped had bad wear on the rack and the yoke/thrust pad. The grease dries out, the rack cuts a track thru it, and then there's no lube.
Always replace the 2 `Belleville' tapered spring washers with new ones, as they fatigue and break with age.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Are these spring washers the ones that go under the ball as such to keep it all nice and tight? If so where would I be able to get some, or do I need to order them from Karcraft or the likes?

If it's the usual Oz made `Cam Gears' rack there are 2, they go behind the pressure pad that holds the rack into mesh with the pinion. One faces each way. It's important the shims here are set up right- get a workshop manual if you don't have one.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Got a picture? Coz I don't remember any springs coming out, and I can't work it out even with the workshop manual. Its driving me insane, I'm going to go see if the rack that I pinched the tierod from is still ok, I'll put the rod back and just do an external clean!

No springs. These 2 washers are conical shaped flat washers made from spring steel, they are assembled `top to top' and act as a spring.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.