The 'E' Type Forum

Hi All,

I have about half to three quarters of an inch movement between the holes in the bracket that is attached to the steering rack and the sleeves that run through the bracket of the fail safe system.
In other words, when the steering is turned the first movement is to take up the play between the bracket and the sleeves.
I presume there should be no movement between the bracket and sleeves and if so could it be the holes have worn and elongated over a period of time.
Is this a common problem?
Some advice on this would be most helpful.

Take it apart... if your holes have slotted that far it means that the rubber has been parted for a Loooooong time.

Andrew

Hi...there should be no movement apart from the rubber flexing, the back of the mount is bolted to the picture frame and the front of the mount bolted to the rack, the fail safe bolts and sleeves are there incase the rubber seperates...have a look at this post, some good info and pictures that may help. viewtopic.php?t=5101&postdays=0&postord ... ts&start=0 Steve

1/2-3/4" sounds impossible. If the fail-safe sleeves are correct there is only a millimeter or two slack.

Yes, you might be right Peter. I have had another look and the mountings are fixed firmly to the frame and rack and when they flex the movement is about a quarter of an inch.
The reason I asked the question was that the steering is very stiff and I was looking at the rack or column as being the problem. Yesterday I took the column off the car and checked it for stiffness but it seems to be fine. Replaced the bushes while it was off.
So it seems it could be the rack that is causing the problem or maybe the universal joint at the bottom of the steering shaft.
My next job will be to take the rack off the car and have a look for stiffness there and have it reconditioned at the same time and to check the U/J on the shaft.
Anybody got other ideas for me.

Thanks Phil

Hi Phil...if you have1/4 in movement in the mounts i would say that you need new mounts. They should flex but not move that much....have a close look and see if the rubber has seperated from the front or back plates.. Steve

Thanks Steve

No they have not seperated but I think that if the rack is stiff it is putting more strain than normal on the mounts and making them flex more than they should.
I will replace them anyway when the rack comes off the car.
Phil

You are checking with both wheels in the air, right?

I have checked the steering with the wheels off the ground and it is stiff.
I have checked the mount movement with the wheels off and on the ground.
During normal driving the steering is stiff especially in the straight ahead to slight turn position. It also does not self centre as good as it should.

Phil

Try the rack movement with both track rod ends disconnected , I would guess at a seized top or bottom ball joint .

Good idea Steve.
I have just replaced the top wishbones with the one piece ball joint type, so it might be the bottom ones. Before I take out the rack I will give that a try.
Phil