RHD Steering rack

[baron_matt]

Well I think this car is cursed.

After having a piece of good fortune where the new tyres arrived on the same day as the steel wheels were ready for collection from the powder coaters, we then discovered that the steering rack on the car has broken.

It seems that the inner end of the trackrod has a large amount of play in it which accounts for the clonking and rattling from the front end that we had thought was due to the knackered stub axles and spring.

Question are steering racks repairable? Can components from a LHD rack be fitted to a RHD rack?

Are there any exploded diagrams of the rack?

[Gadge]

I don't know for sure but from an engineering point of view I'ld say that they're probably not interchangeable. But until you break one down You'ld never know however there are plenty of specialist around who rebuild steering racks. It's not a dark art

[poxxxy]

You're worrying me now ... hoping I don't have the same play. Would be interested to see a stripdown of the rack... perhaps might be a case of grinding/adding away some teeth but just guessing .

[1973/126]

 This is a common fault on the 126. There is a plastic bush inside which breaks. I had this problem on a very low mileage car before. Loads of it is probably down to the quality of the UK roads.

 They are repairable though. There was a thread on here somewhere where someone had the same issue and had it fixed by a specialist company for a reasonable price.

 

[Rusty's Uncle]

The damage to the rack would tie in with that damaged king pin / stub axle you had

[baron_matt]

Here it is on its new wheels

[baron_matt]

I have found the BIS rack that I bought by chance a while ago, whether it is any good or will fit is a gamble.

I might be tempted to try fitting it after giving it new gaiters and get my original refurbished. If this is a weak link then at least I have a spare.

[baron_matt]

Well a frustrating Sunday under the car and with the tools in my possession I have completely failed to remove the steering ball joints from the steering arms. Several hours with a ball joint splitter (which failed to work) and lots of hammering and nothing.

Am I going to throw in the towel and sell the car and buy something different? Nah, I'm going to take it back to the joker who fitted the ball joints to the steering arms and get him to get things apart with a BIG hammer, whilst I drink gin and enjoy my holiday. 

New track rod ends have been ordered up and the rack is all set to get rebuilt, it seems to go much better on the proper standard wheels too. )

[ChrisRLewis]

What type of ball splitter tool did you use?
This is the type I use, never fails..

[baron_matt]

What type of ball splitter tool did you use?
This is the type I use, never fails..

Nope I don't have one of those. I need more leverage   

[Gadge]

What type of ball splitter tool did you use?
This is the type I use, never fails..

That pretty much the same one I used and it made very easy work of my joints. Have you tried some heat on them barron_matt? Seems very strange from them to be stuck on that hard. Mind you new tie rod ends are not a bad idea anyway

[baron_matt]

That pretty much the same one I used and it made very easy work of my joints. Have you tried some heat on them barron_matt? Seems very strange from them to be stuck on that hard. Mind you new tie rod ends are not a bad idea anyway

Yes I tried heat, one of the reasons why I have ordered new track rod ends is that with the heat the gaiters of the old ones caught fire.

That and the lack of time is why I'm handing it back to the garage to sort. Hopefully with this work there shouldn't be much left to do....what am I saying? Of course there will.

It has a long journey to Wales planned for it in September....fingers crossed eh?

[baron_matt]

Well Fiat has been dropped in at Garage (who now really know the car) and I could see the mechanic facepalm at its return. Dubbed the boomerang my car will be tucked back in the workshop to have its steering gear removed and sent to Derby for refurbishment.

The vastly improved ride thanks to the chunky 80 profile mud and snows it now wears was really noticeable on the journey down despite the numerous steering corrections needed to keep it going in a straight line due to one front wheel only just under steering control   

Looking forward to getting the interior fixed up soon and luxury of luxuries....a headlining!



 

[baron_matt]

Well the boomerang has earned its name yet again...

Collected the fixed 126 on Saturday afternoon from having its new steering rack and track rod ends fitted. What a difference, it goes lovely, garage had also adjusted the brakes too as the pedal traveled quite far before the brakes came on. Awesome!

Sunday:

Descending a hill into Chesham all four brakes locked on and stayed on. Lucky I was only 500 yds from the workshop where I collected it so, in 1st gear managed to drive (just) with lots of squealing and dumped it back at the workshop with a note on the windscreen. Sigh.

I expect the clutch will fail now, as it has to be about the only component that hasn't had to be changed yet.

 

[Gadge]

Wow that is strange  :owned slightly worrying! Are you sure all 4 wheels locked? Can't see how 4 could do that unless the master cylinder somehow stuck on? One things for sure they may well fix it for nowt seen as though they were the ones who fiddled it last. Hope you get it sorted.