Johnny G Pipe

Hi, just in case this is familiar to anyone. I have been failed at our UK safety inspection because of about 2mm 'up and down' (radial) play where the arm enters the rack (the play is NOT at the inner track rod joint where he thought it was, that joint is totally good..) . It is an 89 C4 on Bilstein HDs with 130k miles.

Can't find any trace of this as being a problem on the forums apart from one post where a 928 guy made a shim to take up a small amount of play.Mainly racks seem to be replaced because of leaks..has anyone any thoughts?

The car drives great and this is obviously a huge ballache if it means a new rack.

TIA

Rocket Rob

Is it possible that the inner tie rod end is not fully inserted into the rack? Or the stop nut is loose? Its been a few years since I replaced my rack so I may not be picturing the part correctly.

Vandit

If you're saying it's not the rubber bush on the inner tie-rod, then a loose stop nut seems the only other plausible problem. I can't think of anything else... The rest of it is one piece joining one tie-rod to the other... Unless the play is occuring in unison on both sides of the rack, then maybe the gears are worn out?

Johnny G Pipe

Thanks for the quick replies, the stop nut is the big square one? Let me go and fiddle with that..its difficult to get at because it is shielded within the suspension housing...will report back.

AVI_8

Hi Johnny
My racks leaking, so I've been looking for a replacement, there's a company based in Bristol who will recon your rack for £200 quid called WPS, they advertise on eBay, it's the best price I've seen enquiries@westernpowersteering.co.uk is their contact or google the company for their phone number
The 200 quid includes the uplift and delivery of your rack, I spoke to the guys though I haven't used them yet they sound very genuine.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Logan

Harry Apps

Mine failed the first MOT after I bought it for the same reason (a long, long time ago - 2002!). It was fixed by an OPC who removed the rack and sent it for specialist repair after I argued about the cost of a replacement.

Johnny G Pipe

Thanks logan, I had a heads up on 911uk about those guys in Brizzle, way less than I thought it would be! Trouble is, I expect they are usually fixing leaks with new seals and cleaning it up..I think to remove any play I am looking at a much bigger job, fabricating bushings and so on.

Harry Apps

I can't remember if the racks are manufactured by ZF. However, if they are, a quick google for spares leads to a ZF parts catalogue which lists the bits as "Axial Joints" which is the bit that is worn.

ALSPEAKE

Chris at Center Gravity uses a company in Birmingham for ZF rack overhauls. He says they are the best, unfortunately I can't remember their name!

Rocket Rob

Yes, the racks are made by ZF and yes the square nut is the stop nut.

AVI_8

I would give them a call, I think you'll find that any of the parts in a steering rack will be easy to source for a company who specialises in reconditioning them.
Logan

neffets

it's the bushings inside the steering rack, changed mine last winter

neffets

This is one of the bushing, there is another as well. I did take a lot of pictues when I rebuild mine, so I will make a day rebuild thread.
QUOTE=neffets;13579712]

it's the bushings inside the steering rack, changed mine last winter[/QUOTE]