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MG TD TF 1500 - Removal of steering rack from TF

Hi all,

Having seen in the Archives the various problems encountered in satisfactorily removing the steering rack from TDs/TFs I thought it might be helpful if I set out the steps I recently took to remove my RHD TF rack.

1.Raise car at the front and then use axle stands under side chassis rails back from the front.

2. Take off Number plate (optional), and both horns plus wiring/clips to rack.

3. Remove locking wire/split pins, three nuts/bolts from the steering column flange from underneath the car, with the help of an assistant holding/turning the steering wheel from within the car.

4. Remove offside road wheel, undo engine steady rod from within engine compartment, plus the three bolts holding the engine steady bracket to the chassis (one doubles up as damper fixing). On my TF with a heat shield, it was difficult to remove the bracket completely, so I moved it upwards and tied it on to a carb float chamber with string!

5. Slacken locknuts and small boot clips, and unscrew both tie rods from outer ball joints.

6. On steering column side, undo clips and remove rubber boot, with container underneath to catch oil.

7. Prise back the lock washer from the indents on the inner ball joint, and remove the ball joint and tie rod from the rack (RH thread) with a C spanner or more likely Stilson/Vise grip.

8. Remove four nuts/bolts holding rack to frame, and by moving whole unit forward, and to near side, the 'shortened' side of the rack (withdrawn to the NS) will clear the large hole in the chassis, permitting removal.

The WSM suggests that this removal procedure can be achieved by removal of the outer ball joint only, but by removing the inner ball joint et al, as above, there is plenty of clearance. Obvious variances need to be followed for a TD and/or LHD car but the principle of 'shortening' one side of the rack is the key factor. I can see no point in removing the bumpers or radiator (on a TF !!!), but make sure the car is securely supported before crawling underneath.

Hope the above is helpful - comments welcome!

John Mitchell


J C Mitchell

Hi again,

Further comments on steering rack removal/replacement, which might be helpful to someone!

Under 6. suggest remove BOTH rubber boots.

Under 7. suggest remove BOTH inner ball joints/tie rods.

Under 8. Note both sides of the rack are now 'shortened', allowing removal.

It was said to me by a good MG friend that the tie rod/boot away from the steering shaft could be attached for rack replacement. I've just tried and couldn't do it, without removing both sides! Even then the rack inner needed moving to and fro to clear each side chassis large hole. Expect some paint damage, even so!

Hope the above is useful.

Cheers

John
J C Mitchell

This thread was discussed between 09/03/2010 and 15/03/2010

MG TD TF 1500 index

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