Steering rack mount update

[Richard the old one]

If you read my earlier post you will be aware that I was surprised to find a slight difference in the size of steering rack mounting bushes part number 139386 manufactured by two different manufacturers. At that time I was only able to identify the smaller of the two. That was marked DEFLEX and I believe that I obtained it from a supplier that supports the club annually at the TDCIR. They are currently charging £5.58 per bush. I have now identified that the slightly larger bush is manufactured by Superpro, an Australian company, and I obtained it from Moss Europe who are currently charging only £3.95.

As I stated previously being slightly larger I do not have the slight movement of the rack that I had with the DEFLEX type fitted. This was even though I had fitted the rack and mounts in accordance with the Official Triumph Dolomite Repair Operation Manual, which states
18. Tighten the right-hand U bolt nuts.
19. With the left-hand mounting clamp pushed outboard against the mounting rubber and the locating plate held inboard against the stop on the sub-frame, tighten the left-hand U bolt nuts.”

The Repair Operation Manual does fail to identify which way up the locating plate has to be fitted to ensure that when it is held inboard against the stop it will push the U bolt outwards to compress the mount but with a bit of careful thought this can easily be worked out.

I believe it is quite common for the locating plate to be missing so if you are having a problem with the rack moving this is something to check.

I have fitted a solid mount to the near side on one of my cars but I consider the Superpro mount to be a better arrangement, as it will still allow some movement under shock conditions.

I believe there are a number of other manufacturers that make poly steering rack mounts but I do not have any of their mounts to be able to compare sizes.

[Neil907]

If you want I could measure a super flex one as they came in the post today

[Richard the old one]

The sizes in cms of the new mounts that I have are as follows:
Width 4.85 (4.6)
Max Height 4.85 (4.6)
Thickness 2.4 (2.15)

The smaller sizes in the brackets are the DEFLEX mounts.

As you can see there is not a lot in it but it seems to be just sufficient to make a difference when they are fitted.

I will be interested to see what size the superflex are when you measure them.

Does anyone have some new rubber mounts that they could measure just as a matter of interest.

[Neil907]

Width 4.85
height 4.85
thickness 2.4

thickness 2.8 (lip at bottom .4 heigh)

[Richard the old one]

Thanks Neil.

Obviously you should not have any problem with the super flex ones as they are the same larger size.

I hope this will help other dolomite owners who are replacing these mounts.