Has anyone sourced or machined up the rack bush for the early (smaller diameter) racks?
I assume that nylothane bush material machined to the correct dimensions would be suitable?
Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

I have only ever reco'ed one of these racks for an original 850 restoration and I used a new original felt bush, that you can still buy new. I cant see any reason why you couldnt make the bush out of nolathane or even bronze if you have acess to a lathe. Most people replace these racks with the later aussie rack but I understand your need to keep it original. You can usually find NOS parts for these early racks still, as no one wants them.

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

Do the early racks have a different turning circle from later racks.

_________________
That's why it's good to be.............ME

As far as I'm aware, the early and later racks have the same travel. It is the rack diameter and track rod joints that are different. I think the pinion is the same. The later racks have a spacer on the pinion and a modified housing to locate the pinion better.

Bruce , I machine the bushes up out of Acetal plastic. Some of the nylons and norathane will swell in oil after time and jamb the rack.
I take the metal felt holder out and fit the new bush into housing and then screw the self tapper in to hold as well. If you run oil [and this is the only way to go] then you need oil ways thru bush to lubricate ball and allow for air movement.
If the rack shaft is scored then I surface grind them to clean up and machine bush to fit. It is a good idea to make sure the rack is not bent slightly, this happens when the wheel is "kurbed" when the steering is on full lock.

_________________
Research is the difference between speculation and investment. Anyone who copys some one else will always be second
www.minisprintgt.com

The later (~64 on?) Oz rack is actually a short version of a Morris 1100 rack.
These racks do not all have a spacer on the pinion. It was added later still when the top rack bearing was relocated, but the pinion didn't change. The ones with a spacer are easier to fit the pinion back in.

I know all this `coz I have a heap of old Oz racks here.

_________________
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.

Do the Oz racks have a common part # to look for, or did the part # change over the years?

cheers

Jacob

_________________
'72 Clubman Van - 1022cc, 295 head, 731 cam - Daily Driver
'69 Morris 1100 S - Dinged by a bus, in shed under repair
'64 Morris 1100 - Early 1100, long term project

They have Cam Gears Australia on one end casting, and the 2 oval caps are both steel (unlike the earlier UK racks used on 850 etc that had brass caps).
All the same * except:
1. early ones had a slot on the pinion for the pinch bolt, later ones have a groove.
2. early ones didn't have a bearing spacer inside, as I said above. All the bits inside are same, just there's no spacer.

* Some Moke ones may be different, I believe the late ones had UK racks and different steering arms. I am NOT a Moke expert (or owner, now).

_________________
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.

Somewhere in 81 they went to the crap....errr......UK ones

_________________

Many thanks to all who have replied.

Cheers
wild_willy