Worn steering rack ?

[MartinD]

Hi,
I have just found some play in my sprint steering rack, but it is not the usual suspects. The ball joints and trackrod ends are good and the pinion is shimmed correctly. The play is visible between the rack and the rack outer case on the nearside and feels like about a mm verticle movement. There does not seem to be any fix for this, no replacable bushes or adjustment. The fact that no-one comments anywhere about this being a wear problem has me puzzled, is this a worn out rack, or am I missing something ?

[alaric]

Hi. I thought there were bushes at either end of the rack through which the steering gear moves, and that these were usually replaced in refurb of the rack. I've attached a pic from the +2 workshop manual. It shows what looks like a bush 1.75" by .844". I thought these could be replaced. If not I guess a recon rack is required. I'll probably need the same in that case as I've been looking at my own recently.

Sean.

[RotoFlexible]

There is a replaceable bushing a the end of the rack opposite the pinion (is that the "nearside"?). Mine wore, with the symptoms described, and was eventually flagged by an inspector. I replaced it; no more play. There is no bushing on the pinion end IIRC. The 1.75" by .844" item in the drawing is the stop that prevents the tire from fouling the anti-roll bar, not the bushing.

[alaric]

Ok. Thanks.

[prloz]

Hi,
The bush you need is Triumph part 128002. It's 1 1/2" long.
Regards,
Peter.

[MartinD]

Hi,
Thanks for the replies, I suspected something was missing but I couldn't find any reference to what it was.

Regards,
Martin

[worzel]

Hi all

Funnily enough I've just noticed play in the rack on my sprint but this time it's not vertical play but sideways. Roughly there is 2mm lateral "give". Ball joints inside the rack feel ok as do track rods etc. It's the original rack (120000 miles) so I suspect the problem might be the actual teeth/gears. No play at the column entry point.

Any suggestions as to who is reputable at doing an overhaul or is it more cost-effective to buy another (assuming new ones are still occasionally available).

Regards

John