Sloppy Steering Rack

[peteyg]

Hi guys,

Is it possible to adjust the steering rack to remove the slop. I have quite a lot of play at the steering wheel. I've replaced the u/js which made no difference so must be the rack?

Pete

[drdoom]

Hi Pete,

The rack may be disasssembled with moderate effort and then one may improve the condition by removing one of the 3 shims which serve to set the pinion-rack mesh distance. That said, it may well be that your rack has worn largely in the on-centre segment due to miles covered being predominantly straight ahead. If that is the case tightening the mesh to improve things on-centre may result in binding when turning towards full lock, and of course this musn't be permitted in any great measure. There is a firm in the UK who are known for refurbishing and I'd be tempted to work with them.

https://kileyclinton.com/

 

[EXCEL V8]

There's also a company in Australia (Lotus Marques) that offers better tapered roller bearings in their rebuild kits.  I imported a kit and found it worked fine for my Elite.

Pete

[peteyg]

Thanks chaps. It's a replacement rack from SJ bought years ago so not original. Don't know if that makes a difference to being able to adjust?

[EXCEL V8]

You adjust the rack using the shim pack - add/remove shims until you get a certain torque required to turn the pinion shaft.  The kit from Lotus Marques comes with good instructions as well.  I had to make a shim to get the correct figure, but I've got a couple of spares now I think if you need any - I'll check in the shed - it's a couple of years since I did it!

Pete

[drdoom]

Pete, please share those instructions, if you will.

[EXCEL V8]

21 hours ago, drdoom said:

Pete, please share those instructions, if you will.

I'm not sure that I kept them!  I'll have a look through my piles of paperwork to see if I still have them - may take a while!  🙄

Pete

[lotus-62]

On 21/08/2023 at 07:55, peteyg said:

Thanks chaps. It's a replacement rack from SJ bought years ago so not original. Don't know if that makes a difference to being able to adjust?

I've had one as well, went straight into the bin...(no just kidding, I sold it on)   soo much weaker in design,  I got a second hand one and bought the parts from Kileyclinton.  but the rack needs to be good as Steve is pointing out.  

btw the tapered roller bearings......  look at the Capri/Escort racks from the same area, same brand as the esprit but with tapered roller bearings (and unlucky for us they are smaller and the pinion shafts are not the same length )  I milled out my old one and replaced the needle bearing (top one for the pinion shaft) with a tapered one so there is NO play in it at all (ballbearings have a little play in the axial direction

 

[GavinT]

I just installed a rack from JAE which I believe is from SJs. First thing I noticed was the ratio is totally different. I plan on rebuilding the original with the kit from Lotus Marques as I think it’s just the inner tie-rod bushings that are worn.

[drdoom]

Are you kidding? Greatly different ratio for an Esprit would be heresy. The vendors are pushing the limits apparently. 

[lotus-62]

when I was comparing the old vs the new one I found that the inner ball joints where 10mm wider apart don't know it that will affect bump steer a lot but together with the overall weaker design I sold it on....  

 

[jtmco]

I rebuilt mine using the Lotus Marques kit.
 

The old bushing on the end was plastic and in pieces. My wheel would point in or out depending on the last steering input. It was dangerous and scary

The kit has a brass bushing. Once I set the shims and lubricated it, the rack is like butter!  So smooth and light. 
 

The only thing I did not like in the kit were the small rivets that you were supposed to hammer in (maybe I needed to use a press). I could not make them work so I replaced them with split pins with some jb weld for good measure. 

[GavinT]

I read many posts warning about the new replacement racks not being as good but out of convenience and time I just went with the a new one. It may turn out to be a $695 mistake.