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MG MGB Technical - Has my rack had it?

Just drove the "lost coast" here in Northern California, it was gorgeous, but now I know why it was lost. The potholes and road surfaces reminded me of some outback track in N.T., Australia. Well my poor '64 made it home but now it has some rattling noises coming from the front end. I took the wheels off and checked for loose bolts and such but everything in that department seemed tight. Then I had my girlfriend wiggle the steering wheel back and forth and a popping/knocking noise was coming from the little gearbox that attaches to the steering shaft and steering rack. Does this mean I have to replace the whole rack? How difficult a job is it, if so? Any experienced tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Aaron

p.s. If you want to see some of the trip some photos can be found at: http://www.lucidskies.com/pix/
Aaron Cohick

AAron- Yep, sounds like the rack. Moss has bolt on replacements. Give em a jingle. Cheers, Vic
vem myers

Aaron; Sounds like time to get out the shop manual and check out your rack, Maybe you can set up the shims a bit tighter. At least try it before spending $ for a rack. Bob Check it out!!!
Bob Thompson

Be careful shimming the rack - wear at one spot may suggest you tighten up - but this can cause binding elsewhere - always check for free movement from lock to lock or you could find yourself driving into something the first time you turn a corner.

Exchange rebuilt racks are reasonable and even new ones (made in Argentina and good quality) are not that expensive.
Chris Betson

Thanks for all the help so far. Seeing as the existing rack looks to be a badly maintained original, (pumped full of grease instead of the proper oil), I am going to assume that replacing it would be the safest bet, and the least amount of messing around? Would anyone out there have a good O.E. rack they would want to part with for a reasonable price?
Aaron Cohick

I have a good rack out of a 67 and am in Northern CA.
Contact me off line.

Ron
Ron Smith

Aaron,
The little gearbox between the steering shaft and the rack is NOT a gearbox, it is a universal joint and is rather inexpensive. Check it before replacing the rack.
George B.

I'm sorry George for the bad description, but it is where the steering shaft meets the rack at the bottom. I did check the universal joint on the upper part and it is fine.
Aaron Cohick

Maybe I should be calling it the pinion housing?
Aaron Cohick

What is the best way to check your steering rack out. my steering wheel vibrates quite bad at around 65 MPH !

Thanks Andy
Andy

Andy if you have wire wheels try first swapping the backs to front. If you feel a difference you may need your wheels trued and balanced.
Aaron Cohick

Its been my experience that at age 38 most racks have about had it!
Bob Ekstrand

Aaron

Just because a rack is full of grease doesn't necessarily mean it has been mistreated. Lots of discussion on this in the archives. I personally have a YT that has used grease in the rack for the past 35 years and all is still in good shape. It was my daily driver for a number of years.

Larry
Lawrence Hallanger

This thread was discussed between 16/03/2002 and 22/03/2002

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.