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MG TD TF 1500 - steering rack

I know the rack is lubricated with 90 weight hypoid gear oil and I dont have an applicator for this oil so out came the zerk and in went the oil. I cant figure out what contains the oil. Is it supposed to lie in the rack seal, those rubber boots around the tie rod? Also when the seal was pulled back to inspect the ball joint inside I noticed the rack had up and down play in it where it exits the rack housing, only on the RH opposite the steering column. It also clunks when the steering wheel is turned abruptly back and forth. I can only suspect the damper on top needs adjustment, but I'm not sure. This all started after a short drive following the fill-up of the rack with gear oil and noticing a puddle under the rack seal when parked. Thanks, Gary L. Emes
Gary L. Emes

Hi Gary,
I had to recondition my rack a couple of years ago because it was clunking as well. In my case there was play in one of the ball joints under the rack boot.
The rack and pinion is a real bastard to remove from the car. You need to remove the bumper bar, front valance, the engine stabiliser mount, and I managed it without removing the mudguard, but if I had to do it again I would remove that as well.
If you have up and down play in the rack it will have to be bushed I would think.
The oil is supposed to fill the rack and the rack boots as well as the pinion.
Sounds as if your pinion seal is blown out as well so I would think the rack needs to be removed from the car and reconditioned.
One of the most difficult and frustrating jobs was removing the 4 bolts and nuts that mount the rack onto the chassis, as you cannot get a spanner on them properly. I would burn them off with oxy if I had it at home. I replaced them with UNF bolts. You can get a spanner on their heads as they are slightly smaller.
Anyway if you have to remove the assembly from the car allow a couple of days for it.

Good Luck,

Paul
Paul van Gool

Gary:
How did you get the hypoid oil into the rack after removing the zerk fitting, just use a squirting oil can?
I don't have the up and down motion you experienced but found the steering horribly stiff after sitting for nearly a year without beig driven. I suspect it's dry in there.

Bob Barker
Bob Barker

Bob, The plastic container that the 90wt. oil comes has a thin nozzle. With a full bottle it squeezed out easily into the rack. The manual recommends 3/4 pint which I monitored by watching the level in the bottle. It was no more than a good guess. Good luck, Gary
Gary L. Emes

This thread was discussed between 05/05/2002 and 15/05/2002

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