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MG MGA - Ebay - Steering rack prices

Hi,
anyone seen this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/mga-right-hand-drive-steering-rack_W0QQitemZ290287670962QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item290287670962&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

£1025 for a used RHD steering rack. Are they serious?

Grant :-)
G Hudson

Hi
it's most likely to be the gold plated version, and the postman that delivers it will probably stay and fit it for you. Or it's just bl**dy expensive.

Ross
R W McIntosh

No doubt it's being sold by a profiteer rather than an mg enthusiast.
Andy Bounsall

Dont laugh guys, this is the reason I went and converted my entire front crossmember and front end for an MGB one years ago. This is the first one I know of for sale in quite a while. If that were to be imported to Aussie you convert to Aussie dollars (x2.4) add probaably $100 shipping here, add 10% customs to that total then add 10% sales tax (gst) onto that total and my $600 parts and conversion seems cheap!
regards
Mark
Mark Mathiesen

Last week there was a rhd rack on ebay for £650 that started off at £750 that I don't think sold. It was offered by P Chamberlain. Racks are v.expensive but there's no reason to pay over £1000.
J H Cole

John

If you look at the Ebay advert I think you will find it is the same seller. He also frequently attempts to sell his wares through posts on this forum for which he has been 'reprimanded' a few times by other members.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Hi Steve that's terrible that someone should try and sell stuff on this site, by the way chaps one of my tool kits is for sale on Ebay lol


Gordon
g c pugh

Good value for 99p Gordon. I hope others don't bid!

Steve
Steve Gyles

It's Paul Chamberlain (compare the mobile number to the one on the classifieds section). You would think for that price he would include a photo.

I offered two RHD racks over this BBS last year, and have absolutely no qualms about offering special parts like that to the members here before selling on ebay (though I am sure I could have made a lot more on ebay). Paul wanted to buy both from me, but they went to people here for significantly less than the asking price in this ebay auction. Both buyers were delighted (one even drove down from Belgium to collect his, complete with RHD dashboard. The other I posted to New Zealand). I've seen a couple of others in the last few years.

I think there's a huge difference between people doing trades and offering something as a service (eg Serge and his chassis plates) and professionals trying a new free place to advertise. Maybe Gordon could offer a few cheap toolkits before punting them on ebay (I put my hand up at this point !!!)

I haven't found any more RHD racks recently, and the one in my cellar isn't for sale! If I do stumble over any more, I'll have to think about ebay.....
dominic clancy

Moss now has new steering rack assemblies for the MGA.
They're about $230.
These aren't rebuilt; they're brand new and are like contemporary rack assemblies with no need to lubricate, just like the ones that come with new cars. I installed one on my MGA; the assembly bolts right on with no need for any adjustments. Works great. Now I can take my eyes off the road for a second or two without drifting into the next lane..
The Moss number is 263-100. On their web site, below the picture of the assembly, there's a link titled "More Info". Click on it to get more details on the unit. There may be a waiting list on this, but it's worth the wait.
L.R. deOlazarra

Great.. It just dawned on me that you guys are talking about a RHD rack. My last post was about LHD units from Moss here in the states. I suppose it's possible they may have contracted the builder to make some RHD units, but I can't say for sure.
L.R. deOlazarra

L.R. deO, lets hope so, for the sake of RHD owners.
Gary Lock

I remember reading somewhere that the Vauxhall Viva racing crowd used MGA racks as they had a faster rack than the standard Viva offering. That would imply that a Viva rack may well fit an MGA (if you can find a Viva rack of course, Vivas were real rustbuckets).
dominic clancy

Should have googled first:

Steering racks HA (long pin only) £35
Steering racks HB £38
Steering racks HC £40

http://www.geocities.com/viva_spares/


At those prices it would be worth giving him a call and getting the dimensions to compare
dominic clancy


Hi Dominic,

I'm looking for a RHD twin cam one. Obviously just the pinion is an inch longer.

Last time I converted my brother pushrod MGA, I purchased just the knuckle part and converted his LHD bottom housing to RHD. The rack obviously is the same for both left and right HS. Then purchased a RHD Pinion from MOSS.

I seem to remember Auto Gear made the part, but their web site seems to be down:
http://www.autogear.co.uk

Are you saying the Viva rack housing maybe the same?
http://www.geocities.com/viva_spares/frontsuspension.html

At £40 just for the bottom housing it's worth a punt. Worth an email to the chap to find out I'd say, but we would need the dimension of the MGA bottom housing first.

Cheers
Mark.
Mark Hester

Further to my last post

I seem to remember this place sold the rack and RHD pinion:

http://www.jackknight.co.uk/downloads.php

but not the housing.

I notice MOSS UK also list the LHD only Rack for £195

http://www.moss-europe.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=13095

I wonder if the Viva housing is the same angle to the MGA.

Cheers
Mark

Mark Hester

I can dig out the RH rack and take some measurements if others are interested
dominic clancy

Hi Dominic,

A photo next to a ruler may help.

Barney might post info on rack conversions, as I don't see much on his site to do with this topic.

Perhaps we should start a new thread on rack conversions?

Cheers
Mark.
Mark Hester

Mark and all,

Here are some pictures next to a ruler. I've been converting my roadster over. WIth the exception of finding parts, its been pretty straightforward. If anyone needs larger images or other measurements let me know.
If anyone has an extra RHD steering pinion, PLEASE let me know. Dennis


Dennis Suski

Once again I remind you, under current law, if you change the rack to another make here in Australia or modify it without getting a written transport department approval and and modification plate fitted to the engine bay(on all the east coast states at least) you may be driving an unregistered and uninsured car...end of story!! Check with your State Authority (this may also apply in other countries as well).
If you have an accident you are immediately liable for ALL the accident outcomes, all 3rd party compensation(thats personal liability to non-aussies) and any property damage. You could lose more than just the car in legal liability compensation. Trust me I used to be a transport modifications officer... If some of you in Aussie are planning such a move get together and get a group approval first, will be cheaper sharing the cost once and you can share the pain of sorting out the setup issues
regards
Mark
Mark Mathiesen

Mark H and Dennis S, -- I can definitely post this stuff on my web site. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/suspensn/sr205.htm

Dennis S, -- If you can send me the four individual pictures in larger format I can do a better job with the page layout and the larger images. Any additional information or photos would be appreciated.

I presume the rest of the conversion from LHD to RHD (or vice versa) requires three pedals with brackets for the throttle pedal, a dipper switch bracket, and the dash panel (sometimes with lower brite trim strip). If I missed anything, do tell.
Barney Gaylord

Barney:

For a conversion the brake pedal is identical for both LH and RHD. The other things that needs changing are the headlights (so they dip the right way) and the wiper parking position.

You will possibly also need a new tonneau cover as the piece over the steering wheel is now on the wrong side.
Malcolm Asquith

HI Barney,

Here is some more info for you web page.

When I last did an MGB rack many years ago.
I used the cross member (or a spare MGB cross member) which are removable on an MGB to hold the newly modified bottom housing whilst it was being tack welded back in place (tube to new RHD housing).

If you look closely the originals are only tack welded as the two halves are pressed into the ends. I guess as MGA's only hold grease where as MGB's hold Oil.

What we need is a photo with the Pinion end removed, showing the process.

I seem to remember that an MGB pinion end was much easier to remove than the MGA one I did in subsequent years. I seem to remember we had to cut the unwanted LHD housing on this occasion to release the tube section which was to be reused.
At the end of the process it was not possible to notice the rack had been converted, as the parts kept were made for both sides anyway.

On the MGB, the middle section is nothing more than the correct diameter of exhaust pipe. Not sure if this is the same for MGA's.

Great Photo Denis... Many Thanks

I've emailed the Vauxhall Viva guy, but no reply. He must be snowed in like the rest of us today in UK.

Cheers
Mark.
Mark Hester

Hi Dominic,

After contacting the Vauxhall web site you mentioned, here is the chaps reply:

From: vivaspares@live.co.uk
Sent: Monday, 2 February 2009
To: mark

Hi Mark,
Dont know where this rumour came from, but Viva HA / HB / HC steerings racks are all different from each other, and they look completely different to the racks you've pictured.
Also, Viva steering racks are very rare! Especially the Viva HA saloon one. (short pin)
Regards
Adrian

Cheers
Mark.
Mark Hester

Barney

The RHD gas pedal is completely different, theres just a small bracket that holds it to the goalpost, upright, no bar across the tunnel. I'll go and excavate in the cellar and bring it all up to take some photos.


dominic clancy

Hi All
You're all going to tell me I've missed a trick but I am embarking on the fitting of an early 'B' rack onto the MGA chassis by moving the mounts outwards. Only difference I can see is a slight change in the pinion angle. Just for record - front suspension will be a Hoyle set up using B trunnions, etc.
Mark
Mark Dollimore

Hi Mark,

Suspension geometry is a tricky one. I would not consider what you propose unless I had all the fancy computer measurements for before and after.
Bump steer is a trick thing!!!

I've just had a reply from Jack Night. Link above

£220 for the bottom housing.
£255 for the rack and pinion, but you only need the pinion if your rack is good.

Email me if you want me to forward the email.

Cheers
Mark.
Mark Hester

Good point Mark
Hopefully by virtue of racing cars and building my own Kit car and BEC racer I should get things right.

Cheers

Mark
Mark Dollimore

Okay, I have some progress cooking on two web pages.
Steering rack conversion is here:
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/suspensn/sr205.htm
The rest of LHD to RHD conversion is here:
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/care/cf201.htm

My first effort is to get the standard bolt-on swap parts documented. A little later I may add some information for non-standard parts like MGB cross member or MGB steering rack, but those items are really a different documentation problem under modifications.
Barney Gaylord

Dominic, I have sent Barney lots of pictures of an RHD and LHD rack together. I could read all of the part numbers clearly except for the pinion end of the RHD rack. While you are in the cellar, could you verify that the number is 16148U? Mine was messy in the last two characters.

I would ask others who have RHD cars, but they would have to lay in the road with 2 dental mirrors, a flashlight in their mouth, and look crosseyed to see the number.
Dennis Suski

Just had a reply from Moss USA regarding one I sent them re the absence of RHD racks..they say that they are looking into the feasible of producing these at this time, and have been in touch with the manufacturers..seems as if we may have some in a few months.
Gary Lock


I've also asked Moss if they intend to produce RHD racks for the same price of £195.

This reply I quote now:

***************
We would like to have the R/H drive rack remanufactured but we have been unable to obtain a sample that our supplier could copy. Once we can get hold of one, we can send it away.
***************

I sent him this BBS link, as I'm sure someone here maybe able to speed up this process and provide him with a sample.

Moss were producing these at one stage, so it seems strange they now need a sample.

Cheers
Mark.

Mark Hester

I have uploaded Dennis S's pictures (more and larger) to my web page along with more notes on the rack conversion. The server directory is changed, but the old link will forward to the new page. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/steering/sr205.htm

I also have identified (from the Service Parts List) every part of the car that is different from LHD to RHD, and have posted this stuff on the separate page for LHD to RHD conversion. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/care/cf201.htm
Barney Gaylord

Here's a recon Viva HA unit:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=360128553672

Anyone fancy a punt?
Neil McGurk

Mark.

I can lend mine as long as they cover the shipping and perhaps something for my trouble.
dominic clancy

Hi Guys,
I noticed this thread and went through some back issues of Australian Classic Car magazine.The 2001 Year Book had a parragraph on page 31 about converting a L.H.D. MGA to R.H.D. using a Triumph 2000 unit "...it has a slightly lower ratio and makes for lighter steering. Michael calculates the ratio is now the same as the MGB." The article didn't state if any modifications were made and I don't suppose the Triumph units would be any easier to obtain but it gives you another option. The article was written by Darryl Snook and it was Michael Kingsbury's MGA (N.Z.)
I Hazeldine



I Hazeldine,

Any chance you could scan that article and send it to Barney or myself.


Looks like those new LHD Moss racks are worm drive and not straight cut gears.

http://www.mossmotors.com/graphics/products/PDF/263-100.pdf

Dominic, Did that chap from Moss UK get back to you?

I'm still waiting for a photo of the parts http://www.jackknight.co.uk offer


Cheers
Mark.
Mark Hester

Mark

Nothing heard yet.

For the TC, a standard pinion would probably still fit. I had to move my rack about 3/4" forward because of fitting the Judson, and the crank pulley would rub on the rack under braking. Just moving the whole upper column down the car a bit produced the necessary extra length on the pinion.

Dominic
dominic clancy

Dennis, I am travelling, will have to look when home again next week
dominic clancy

This thread was discussed between 26/01/2009 and 07/02/2009

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