I Fluffed My Rack Up

[Bonzai 2]

i changed my steering rack over christmas, but due to lack of roadworthyness certificates ive only been able to really test it today. And its s*ite

 

it wasnt the smoothest of changes, the rack should have been central when i put it in position, but when i connected the column it was a bit off. my memory is vague, but i know i ended up winding the track rod ends in on one side and out on the other quite a bit more than i expected, but it seemed to be straight at the time.

 

Now i find out when i drive it, i only get maybe 35 degrees lock to the right, and a whole lot more to the left

 

so where do i go from here to correct it? will a good tracking place sort it out, or do i need to go back to basics and try again?

[Anthony 1,003]

Set both TRE's about the same so the rack is central, and then unbolt the steering wheel and put it on straight. Check you have the same number of turns lock-to-center in each direction, and if not, correct the steering wheel position until you have

 

The TRE's shouldn't ever be vastly different one side to the other.

[welshpug 1,657]

Good tracking place will sort it, but basically it needs winding in on one side and out on the other. you are reaching the capacity of the rack before the wheel is turned fully.

 

there should be an equal amount of threads showing on the rod ends each side

 

To get it somewhere near right measure between the wheels in front and behind the strut (i.e the tracking) set them to parallel then get it checked as soon as you can.

Edited January 22, 2008 by welshpug

[Phil H 16]

The universal joint should be set in the correct position first...so it folds away rather than going through your chest in an accident...not much use now, but look at the position of the uj where it joins the rack on a car that is known good. I remember putting a rack on ith the uj in the wrong position and the wheel would not return after corners.

[Bonzai 2]

could anyone think of a reason why the rack only turns 3 times lock to lock, i think it should be almost 4 turns???

 

its still not right, but its better now anyway

[cybernck 402 1 Cars]

3.2 for PAS and 3.6-3.7 for non-PAS rack .

[jackherer 543]

could anyone think of a reason why the rack only turns 3 times lock to lock, i think it should be almost 4 turns???

 

its still not right, but its better now anyway

 

if the rack isn't centered the tyres can hit the chassis legs and gearbox etc which reduces the number of turns. Try putting it on axle stands and checking the turns lock to lock with the wheels off.

[Jrod 7]

Or 2.5 for quickrack.

 

Parking will be fun...

[Bonzai 2]

if the rack isn't centered the tyres can hit the chassis legs and gearbox etc which reduces the number of turns. Try putting it on axle stands and checking the turns lock to lock with the wheels off.

 

i did that and it was still near as dammit 3 turns lock to lock

[jackherer 543]

i did that and it was still near as dammit 3 turns lock to lock

 

Is it a PAS rack?

[Anthony 1,003]

I've got a nasty feeling I know what's happened - I think the steering racks have got muddled up, and I've given you one that's had it's lock resistricted for use with a GTi-6 gearbox.... that'd explain the reduced turns lock-to-lock over a normal non-PAS rack, and why you seemed to have much more left hand than right hand lock.

[C_W 3 1 Cars]

That sounds more plausible reading this threads, as even wildly out track rod ends couldn't account for that amount of loss of lock.

[SPGTi 2]

Sorry, no help but every time I read the title of this thread it reminds me of 70's porno films.

 

Steve

[Bonzai 2]

sounds like the problem is nailed then. I will live with it for now and change the rack again at the next posible chance. Thanks folks