Spitfire steering rack

[phil1800]

Good Evening Gents,

the rack has some mayor slack on the passenger side. My local (german) Spitfires vendor tells me that a new rack is much more cost effective than rebuilding the old one. I understand that I have to switch the track rods and the limiters from the old one.Is there anybody who has done this and would share some advise with me?

Thank you Guys,
Philipp

[fatboyoz]

Hi Philip,
There is a replaceable bush on the passenger side of the rack. You will have to pull the rack out anyway, so perhaps worth a look before replacing the entire unit.
Cheers,
Colin.






quote="phil1800"]Good Evening Gents,

the rack has some mayor slack on the passenger side. My local (german) Spitfires vendor tells me that a new rack is much more cost effective than rebuilding the old one. I understand that I have to switch the track rods and the limiters from the old one.Is there anybody who has done this and would share some advise with me?

Thank you Guys,
Philipp[/quote]

[mbell]

I think you need to be careful with new spitfire racks as I've read they aren't all built the same way as they used to be. Meaning you can't interchange parts from your odd rack to your new one.

Not sure but maybe there is a German supplier who supplies ones closer to the original design. If you go the new rack route you want to check with the supplier exactly what you are getting to make sure it will work ok.

[pharriso]

I think you need to be careful with new spitfire racks as I've read they aren't all built the same way as they used to be. Meaning you can't interchange parts from your odd rack to your new one.

Not sure but maybe there is a German supplier who supplies ones closer to the original design. If you go the new rack route you want to check with the supplier exactly what you are getting to make sure it will work ok.

Yes be careful, some of the newer Spitfire racks have "sealed" joints & cannot be rebuilt. The rack on my car was one of these:

[phil1800]

Thank you for the advice, I will check the new rack at the vendor before buying.

Philipp

[Mazzini]

https://www.kileyclinton.com/

The best IMO.

[vstibbard]

Rebuild the rack you have, I’d send it to the Compton previous post.
I’ve done my own here in Australia, the end of rack bushes wear easily sourced.
Sadly most places today simply replace over rebuild.
V

[Hawksfield]

Hi if your only concern is the non pinion end play fit a new bush but also check that the nylon bush is fitted it goes under the non pinion end rubber mounting. This can be removed without disturbing the rack.
I have fitted a new bush in the past on a good rack bar and it still needs the nylon bush.
The bush can be obtained from rimmer bros UK if you want I have the details of the bush if you want to make one.

[Hawksfield]

Hi if your only concern is the non pinion end play fit a new bush but also check that the nylon bush is fitted it goes under the non pinion end rubber mounting. This can be removed without disturbing the rack.
I have fitted a new bush in the past on a good rack bar and it still needs the nylon bush.
The bush can be obtained from rimmer bros UK if you want I have the details of the bush if you want to make one.

[tonyabacus]

Philipp
There are enough warnings already about the new racks that are available, but have you considered doing it yourself.

The rack in your car has probably done a good number of years service already and would probably benefit from a full overhaul as indicated by the bush you are trying to replace. The job is not very difficult at all and the parts are readily available from a number of sources. It is probably better to rebuild your own as at least you know it is the correct rack for the car.

Whilst apart check things like,
1. the rack itself for straightness and damage to the teeth,
2. the same with the pinion, check the teeth
3. finally check the tie rods for straightness.

Other than that it is mainly cleaning and checking for wear. When removing the track rod ends, count the number of turns when removing so you can put them back in more or less the same place, the car will still need the alignment checking afterwards.

All steering racks work on the same basic principles so have a look at the following two videos and see how easy it is, the first being on a Lotus Europa, the second whilst not on a Lotus confirms the principles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi_UhwxRnMs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UthP7xOa1Ro

To strip and rebuild will take about three hours the first time but depends on how much painting you want to do.
Hope that encourages you to have a go
Tony

[Roland]

The rack for my Lotus Elan Sprint has just been refurbished by Kiley Clinton in Birmingham. The fully refurbished it, new bushes and the end of the rack, new pinion and new gaiters. My rack was all ok. This was done for £230 pounds including postage back up to Scotland.

A replacement rack from Matty's or TTR would have been twice that.

Regards

Roland

[Mazzini]

Most of the specialists use Kiley Clinton.

[Roland]

Mazzini,

Yes I think you are correct, then the specialists mark up the price. Better to go to Kiley Clinton direct as you have.

I was talking to them about my rack today and they know their business. Suspect they are one of these firms around Birmingham that has been operating many years.

[smo17003]

+1 for Kiley Clinton. £264.00 for mine (new rack bar, bushes and ball seats)

Mike

[phil1800]

I just got my rack back from a shop that does all sorts of steering only. My rack internals were rust damaged, they polished everything. They made a very good Impression. I will publish thr contact detail when the rack installed.