gcfcos

My saph cos 4x4 steering rack has play in the rack (geared toothed part on o/s/f). I'm just doing an mot for one of our traders who used to be a ford master tech back in the good old days and I've been talking to him about it and he reckons they used to suffer with a certain problem. Like the older ones with a plate and 2 bolts holding a cover on the sierras have a plug with a massive Allen key shaped hole and it's on a thread. Under that is a strong spring and another part he can't remember the exact name of. He said the springs or that part used to fail and cause loads of play in the rack arms. Has anyone ever taken one of these plugs out before?

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Have you not got a cossie repair manual matey. It shows you how to strip the racks down.

gcfcos

I haven't got one of those mate. I think my mate has I'll ask him. Thanks

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

I can post some pics up of the repair manual if you get stuck. Im sure i downloaded a copy of the tinterweb.

gcfcos

That's mate that would be awesome, turns out my mate doesn't have the manual anymore he sold them with his Cossie

Mark V8

iTrader: (2)

http://www.super7thheaven.co.uk/wp-c...ice_Manual.pdf

gcfcos

Mate that is bloody spot on thanks so much!!

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Are you sorted now l? I've stripped one of these racks ages ago i just cant remember lol.

gcfcos

Yeah thanks matey, I'm going to strip it off the car and take it to work and have a go at finding out where the play is. Just need to find or make something that's a 28mm hex to undo the cap!

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Hopefully you can sort it.

gcfcos

Yeah I can't wait to have a go at it and see if I can fix it myself rather than Havjng to buy a new rack. Soon as I have some spare time I'll get it off the car. I'll post some pics up of the progress perhaps someone might find it interesting lol

dojj

iTrader: (3)

Get a 28mm bolt and weld it to something to make the key

gcfcos

Cheers bud, thought of That at the beginning but been trying to find a 28mm headed bolt but so far no joy. Got my property maintenance mate having a look round the screw fix type trade shops he visits next week. Also trying to
Find a 28mm nut that I can weld something to also

moondustka

Is it not easier to get a reconditioned rack.. My brother spent a good while reconditioning his rack only to find it leaked 100 miles down the road. Got a ref-conditioned one on an exchange and happy miles ever since. Wasn't worth the time or the cost of the seal kit in the end.

gcfcos

Yeah I have been thinking that. I want to strip the old one mainly to see what has actually failed and caused the play in the rack. Probably end up bolting it back together and sending it for surcharge on a recon unit

moondustka

I think Dan took photos, and I think it's on his Puma 4x4 thread on here.

gcfcos

Cool I'll have a look for that thanks matey

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Yerp this also happened to me.

col93saphcos

iTrader: (2)

my rack on 4x4 is the same,what symtoms are you getting
,i can feel something not right through steering wheel and my front tyres wearing bad inside and outside,
virtually new everthing so the only play there is is in the rack,
id need different style key to adjust the black bit,
colin

gcfcos

I noticed it as over 50mph the steering wheel was shaking badly like the wheels were out of balance. I'd only got them balanced the day previous and was only a very slight wobble before so thought a weight may have fallen off or something like that. When I got it on the ramp at work and grabbed wheel and shook wheel side to side it looked to be the inner tie rod ball joint but on removing the gator the play was in the actual rack arm itself inside the rack :-( my previous wheels had worn slightly on the edges of the tyre so must have been getting worse for a while

grcossie

Have you try to adjust the preload on the rack? Have done this on some, and they are fine afterwards
http://www.dreamsofdrifting.com/ae86/rackpreload/

gcfcos

Thanks for the reply mate. Yes this is what I was going to try first before I spent out on a new rack as u can access it without Havjng to remove the rack from the car from what I can see I'm going to take the car to work Saturday and have a go after work as I can make something up at work to undo the 28mm Allen nut. Thanks again and that link u sent is great to see with adding the washer too