The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Hi,
Once again, your advice please.

Nearly all of the interweb vendors stock and sell reconditioned steering racks.
Are they all sourced from the same reconditioner?

My reason for asking is.......
3.5 years ago I replaced a lumpy rack in my Sprint with one I imported from England. (None available here) Initially it was very tight and wouldn't return to centre after making a turn. I thought that with time and use, it would free up. However all that it did was stay tight and later it became lumpy just like the old one. Recently the lumps have been joined by clunks, so much so that its now dangerous to drive.
I cant help but feel that because I'm out here in the antipodes, that I was seen as an easy target by the vendor who shipped me a rack that had been painted up with new boots, tightened up to disguise any wear and shipped off to the other side of the world.
I'm not saying this is the case, maybe I'm just being paranoid, but my records indicate its only been in the car for a total of 1,233 kms and because of the low Kms, its an idea I can't dismiss.

I'm about to order another rack, but before I do, I'd like to know which vendor I can trust with this. Rimmer Bros. have been very good to/with me over the past 5 years, but their prices are bit "up there". I've dealt with Robsport before and found them to be quite good too. However, I feel that I can't trust a vendor I haven't mentioned.

So, can anyone, for certain, answer my first question?
Are all reconditioned steering racks sourced by the UK vendors from the same reconditioner?

Cheers,
Rob

I don't believe so.
Contact Alun Nicolas about a Club supplied reconditioned rack. They are done correctly.

Have you tried the club? If they're in stock, Alun does reconditioned racks - of course he would normally want them service exchange........

No, in a nutshell, they are not all done by the same reconditioner, nor are they all to the same standard.

Unfortunately, the company who used to do them for me, and had even sourced NOS Vandervell tube bearings for them, went into liquidation earlier in the year, so currently I only have two or three units left.

I have made enquiries with other reconditioners, but costs have come back comparatively high due too the small volume nature of the work and their desire to remanufacture rather than recondition. The previous company was happy to canibalise racks and the return was sometimes as low as four from six whereas those I've approached since are not prepared to work on that basis.

I'm happy to get shipping costs for you, and as I have about two dozen core racks accumulated now would not insist on an exchange item being returned. The units themselves are £50 each

Before going for a new rack did you ascertain the problem is NOT in the intermediate shaft u-j.

Jonners

I am always surprised that people do not seem attempt to check out and repair their own racks where possible when most seem to undertake very complicated engine and gearbox rebuilds.

In Dolly Mixture edition 113, Aug - Sept 2005, I wrote an article on the overhaul of a steering rack. It came up again in 2010 and Andy Thomas copied the document into a post on the 27 April at 09.09pm. If you do a search on Steering Rack and then go to page 39 you can find the document.

This evening I had a quick look to see if the parts most likely needed are still available.

Much to my surprise the rack tube bush part number 128002 is still available and cheaper than in 2005. It now only costs £7.50 from Rimmers.

The pinion bearing was not available for some time but that is now being shown as being available from Rimmers at £9.25

The various shims that might be needed to take out the wear in the ball joint are also available, parts 1130032 & 130031 from both Rimmers and Moss-europe at about £2 each.

Unfortunately the plastic seats part 120955 or 153732 are no longer available from Rimmers or Moss-europe but I have not looked at any other suppliers.

The washer tab locking part 120955 is still available @ approx £2

The o Ring part 128021 is available @ a cost of £1.50

Alun,
I've sent you a PM/email message.

Jonners,
Yes, its definitely the rack.

Gentlemen,
Thanks for the advice. Its very much appreciated.

Cheers,
Rob

I have recently bought 2 lhd spitfire racks, both are notchy, very dissapointed with the build quality.

Rob

I would be very surprised if you can't find someone local who is more than competent to rebuild these, especially someone who works with classics in general. I can get mine done in Auckland with no issues. I now sort my own out and the BL manual for the Sprint is easy to follow. Often all I have to replace is the bush in the left hand end, regrease and reset. I get parts I need from Lincoln.

Geoff

Thanks gentlemen,
I'm presently absorbing and processing all this info and hopefully my tiny brain will spit out something positive from it.
I've been back in touch with the suppliers of the dud rack and given them the opportunity to address the situation. I await their reply.
The idea of rebuilding the rack myself isn't something I'd thought of until your post Geoff. The few local guys are so expensive, its more financially viable to import, even with a low dollar and the extortionate freight costs.
Again, "Thank You" all.
Cheers,
Rob

I rebuilt my rack because I was so appalled at the 'reconditioning' job that was done on it, it looked like the only reconditioning they did was to paint it!

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27969&start=195

This is the rebuild

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27969&start=225

It's actually a really easy job, you'll just need some big spanners for the tie rod bolts.

I was going to suggest you have a look on James' resto thread and here he is himself helpfully giving the link.

They are big old nuts.....and tough to undo but did respond to shock when once I did an inner track rod end.

Fitchetts also carry most of the parts to do these.

Jonners