So after replacing just about anything and everything that moves or looks like it could move or looks like its thinking about moving I have gotten rid of a lot of the unwanted movement & noises from the front end.

[Update] It is the pinion coming in the rack that has movement. It comes out of the rack by about 1mm (maybe slightly less) when the wheel is turned.


Now I am stuck with two, this thread concerns one of them.

So far the new items consist of -
New Ball joints.
New tie rod ends.
New solid subframe mounts.
New engine mounts.
Replaced inner steering column & pinch bolt.

The steering rack is fairly new the overall age of the car (less than 12 months) and it has developed a 'clunking' noise when turning the wheel from any stationary position in either direction.

For example..

Grab the wheel and turn it in either direction, you can feel there is grip and movement within the rack, then it lets go (almost like a tooth slipping) and then continues to turn.

This happens no matter which direction, and where the steering wheel is already at. If the wheel is stationary, and I turn it, I get a clunk from the box section of rack where the column goes in.

Could the rack be cactus already ?

Could it just not be aligned correctly ? done up tight enough ?

Any help is appreciated!

Sounds like the steering column is slipping on the rack splines to me...

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

Whats the condition of the lower spline on the steering colum?????

Edit: beat me to it!!!

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

Its not anything to do with the pinch-bolt at the bottom of the column? No stripped splines or anything? (There is a particular way to fit, the U bolts must be loose so when the column is connected it doesn't ruin the splines).

LOL, 3 replies relating to the splines all at 11:07am

Awesome timing, but nope, I forgot to include I also replaced the inner steering column, along with the pinch bolt.

I will double check this though, as chances are if I don't check it again this will be it.

There is nill movement in the wheel and column, you cant wobble it or pull it towards you. Totally solid.

Ok so the colum is spline is good, but is the rack spline ok? When you fitted the rack/colum, did you have the rack U bolts loosened when you did up the colum pinch bolt?

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

U-Bolts werent loose, steering column went straight on.

Splines on rack appeared to be fine.

I will take it apart again and re-check it all. Can the u-bolts be loosened without having to drop the rack ?

U-bolts are just the 4 nuts under the floor mats/carpet on the firewall.

Just back the nuts off so they are loose. The rack should be able to move then so the correct angle from the rack spline to colum is set.

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

I had a similar 'grabbing then loose' steering issue, I had replace the spline clamp bolt (when the thread was stuffed, it would not tighten), but I could not the perfect length bolt, used one about 5mm longer, it caught on a section of the floor sometimes....I've since bought a new bolt, all fixed.

just a thought.

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Cool stuff!!

The U bolts that hold the rack to the floor may be not tight enough, allowing the rack to move on the floor. You will be able to fell this when you are driving the car.

Was the rack a new replacement or a reco original rack. I have used a few of thses new racks and find that they wear out fairly quickly, so you new rack may be cactis. I dont use them now, I have gone back to recoing old original racks these days.

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Have a Nice Day.
If already having a nice day please disregard.

Brand new rack, but I do have my old rack sitting next to the car wrapped up in plastic.

I will check the u-bolts when I get home this arvo, and if they don't solve anything then I will try my hand at reco'ing the old rack shortly.

Thanks for all the help so far!

I too have heard there are problems with (some) new racks from UK.
I would reco your original one and refit it.
<edit> woops, parts for UK racks seem a bit hard to find here.

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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.

did you put oil in it before you fitted the rack???

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.