The 'E' Type Forum

When I recommissioned my car I changed all the rubber bits including the steering rack mounts. These were the standard items and I did it when I did my LHD/RHD conversion. That was 2 years ago.

You can buy standard/soft (metalastic), firmer (polybush) and very firm (solid). Mine were the soft ones.

One thing that has always bothered me (pointed out by my MOT tester) is that with the car on the ground and the bonnet open, the soft rubber mounts allow the steering rack to move about and inch side to side. Not exactly what a "sporting young man" wants.

With an assistant turning the wheel, have a look at your rack with the bonnet open and you might see what I mean.

So I splashed out £80 for a pair of polybush mounts and thought I would tell you what kind of a job it is to change them if you are interested.

Took me about 3 hours.

Here is the car.

Here is a soft rubber mount in situ. There are two of course, one either side.

Here is the steering column lower UJ marked with green paint in the hope I put it back together as it came apart, otherwise I will have to re center the steering wheel.

Here are is an old mount with the fiddly nuts and bolts removed. 3 nuts on captive studs, one nut and bolt and two "failsafe" nuts and bolts with crush tubes one the drivers side. The track rod ends need to be undone to allow the rack to move.

On the other side the failsafe bolts have flat washers and lock-nuts. These take a while to undo with the bonnet and the wheels on the car as clearance is tight for fingers and spanners.

Here is the rack pulled out of the way just enough for the mounts to be fiddled out. The lower radiator hose needs to be moved out of the way for clearance to allow the rack to slide around enough. Its all pretty tight (as usual).

Here are the new mounts in place a few nuts and bolts to do.

Here is a new mount in place. Job almost done.

That was it for today. Tomorrow I intend to drop the steering column at the top to make more clearance through the bulkhead to get rid of the annoying squeek on the rubber grommet every time I turn the wheel.

I will also be able to report on steering rack movement. If it is dry I might even be able to have a test drive with my new "sharpened" steering.

Well I got it done.

I wanted to removed the squeaking fiberglass grommet holder that the column passes through.

This takes minutes when you are building the bulkhead up, but ages on your own with everything else fitted around it. You can see it underneath the intake trumpets next to the brake box.

Anyway, I removed the 4 bolts holding it in place, unbolted the upper steering UJ and slid the whole column forward to enable removal of the offending part.

When disassembled, the cause of the squeak became obvious.

The steering column interfered with the metal plate holding the grommet. So I filed down the fiberglass and re-drilled three mounting holes allowing the grommet mounting plate so slide down 2mm. Before and after below.





I then put it all back together and took her out for a test drive. Squeak has gone! first time in 2 years!.

As for the steering, it feels far more responsive to early wheel inputs but it was too grotty for me to have much of a go.

I trundled down to our car wash and washed her. Yes first time for a while. Look at my wheels, clean!

I like it all James...great post...should inspire others to check their steering rack......last year a friends came back from mot....the guy passed it but said the steeting didnt feel quite right.....i had a look and both mounts had delaminated and only holding on by the safety bolts....supprising how well it still steered .Steve

We only fit the poly mounts - more expensive but firm up the steering.

Thanks gents, yes I now have the polymounts, finally the rack seems solidly mounted.

Steve, the soft rubber mounts I removed showed no signs of delamination, although I understand this has been an issue, they just allowed about one inch of lateral moment in the position of the rack at standstill.

As it was dry I managed to test my new rack mounts and I can report the steering is now far more direct.

And no pesky squeaking either.

Interestingly, my friend came around on Saturday and he had a drive. He is a confirmed petrol head with 2 x 928s yes 2 (why?), a 560 sec, 560 sel, a 500sl amongst a load of other German cars and a new Range Rover. He has a great man cave where he hides them all.

He was put off e-types a few years ago as he hired one for a day and it wouldn't steer, stop change gear, doors would open or shut etc. It must have been a nail.

He is now an avid fan, and he spent the whole of the evening surfing for e types.

So I suspect the forum may gain a new member soon.