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MG MGB Technical - MGB steering rack

Firstly i need to apologise for posting this a second time. i put it in the wrong forum initially.

I have recently bought a 1975 MGB and the steering seems abnormally heavy. I have read various threads and watched clips on YouTube but are yet to find a definative answer to my question.Should the steering rack contain oil (if so what oil and how much) or should it be packed with grease?

Any advice welcome.
Steven Pierce

Steven,your rack should have 1/3 pt of EP90oil in it, but first I would check your king pins, to do this jack up both sidesat the front take of both front wheels, to gain acess to the track rod ends disconnect these from the steering arms, and try your steering now then try each king pin to see if they are tight, my money is on a tight king pin, if it is get exchange stub axle for about £40, and fit that, simple fix job done. AT
andy tilney

If all checks out with what Andy recommended, next I would check the damper pad. This is under the metal cap with two bolts on it where the steering wheel shaft enters the pinion unit.

If the PO took out some of the shims under the cap, it can greatly increase the Resistance.
Bruce Cunha

Thanks for the advice gents, i will check out both points.
Steven Pierce

in addition to what has been put already

small points that can make small differences, or slightly more if combined -
. smaller steering wheel than standard
. wider wheels and tyres than standard
. tyres under-inflated

regular greasing of the front suspension is very important, I do mine every 3 months (or if sooner 3k-miles) and just before the MoT
Nigel Atkins

Has the rack and/or column been removed ever. Put back with correct allignment? Worth a check if the above yields no clues.
Roadwarrior

All the above, but before you get too involve in rebuilds etc. jack up the front to get the wheels off the ground and then try the steering. If it is still stiff then there are mechanical issues with the steering system, otherwise it is tyres, geometry or steering wheel size.

Herb
Herb Adler

This thread was discussed between 14/05/2014 and 15/05/2014

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