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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Steering rack

The rack case on my '65 car appears to have some free play between the outer and the mounting causeed by worn / damaged circular shim [2A6128]. Do I need to break the TRE to be able to replace the shims? If so, what is the best joint breaker? The left 'rocker' type or the right.



Doug Plumb

I think ither one will do fine...

A popular technique heer is the 2 hammer method, I cant remember how exactly it works, ive done it a few times

I think you place one.hammer head at the back of the TRE joint and bash the otherside of the TRE and it pops loose... something about a fast temp distortion vibration causes the hole in the knuckle to elongate and the stud section just falls out before the hole returns to normal round

Its in the archives in several places... or someone here can explain the procedure better

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

BTW... tearing apart the rack is not a fun easy job, this wont be a saterday afternoon inexpensive project

If you didnt retire from the navy, you will definatly need to brush up and increase your vocablary of "colorful metaphores" to complete this project


Prop

Prop and the Blackhole Midget

I don't see any reason to touch the TREs. Just slacken the mounting bolts until you can slide a fresh piece of packing in.
David Smith

Talking of packing, my non-collapsible steering column on the Frogeye has a certain amount of vertical play between the inner and outer column. Is replacing the Felt bus as simple as removing the wheel and boss and simply squeezing it in?
G Lazarus

David

I not sure what he was replacing... is it the shims between the steering rack clamps that bolt to the front crossmember?

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Yes that's how I read it.
David Smith

2A6128 is the shim that goes between the rack and the chassis mounting brackets.

I've always used wheetabix carton cut into a strip with exactly one complete turn so the ends but together. Soaked in oil to stop water soaking into it.
I've never (ever) bought a 2A6128 shim.

Rob
Rob aka MG Moneypit

David / Prop,

Rob is correct. I am referring to the circular shim [#61 which is presumably 'plastic'] between the rack and the bracket and not the flat shim [# 62 which is NCA] which goes between the chassis and the mounting bracket.

Still looking for recommendations of the preferred type of joint separator.

Thanks,

Doug


Doug Plumb

I always used masking tape and found that only a few wraps were needed to take up any slack, be conservative on torquing up the bolts as it is quite easy to break the brackets, DAMHIK.
David Billington

I dont recall using part 61, or ever seeing it as to part 62, I just widdled out the shim out of some aluminum flat stock..that was 12 years ago ... still fine

As I said, before... they both will do fine, if I had to shot someone over it, id use the one on the left...no reason, just my personal preference and its similar to the one I have from harbor freight

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

i used a piece of gasket paper, worked fine. still on there 2yrs later.
bob taylor

I did once buy the packing and it looks very much like gasket paper.

I prefer the right hand separator. It also works well on the rear shock links.
Dave O'Neill 2

I'd prefer the left one. BTW you still need to hit it with a hammer. Put seperator on, tension up, tap with hammer.

Although, I must say I've never needed to use one on the steering arm knuckles. I undo nut, turn it over (or use a non-locking nut) screwed down till the nut is just proud of the stud, jack under the chassis, let suspension droop fully, tap with hammer.

When re-assembling a feint smear of copper grease will prevent it siezing up again.

Rob
Rob aka MG Moneypit

Robert Pirsig in his book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance suggests using strips cut from sodapop (or maybe beer) cans. He calls it the best shimstock in the world and completely free. And yes I have tried it successfully. Just a thought.........

Loved Rob's idea of the bit of cereal box!
RS Hughes

whatever you use don't be tempted to make the packing material too thick before you start tightening the bracket..believing that you get a nice tight "nip"...
Those brackets are not too strong against a steel bolt!
David Cox

Having used both those types of ball joint separator, I think they are both good. I am currently using the smaller type and as Rob says, tighten it up and tap with a hammer. Put a smear of grease on the rubber before you push the separator in, which will prevent ripping it.

Gary. If the Frogeye column is the same as the mk3 (non adjustable), then yes it is just a matter of removing the wheel, flick the old felt bush out and replace it with a new one that has been soaked in oil. It can be a bit fiddly, but it will go in.

Bernie.
Bernie Higginson

Ta Bernie
G Lazarus

I had fun fitting the felt bushes. They were a bit on the large size (another well known supplier!) and I couldn't just flick out the old. Ended up taking the shaft and column out. The shaft was quite tight initially but has gradually eased off.
Bob Beaumont

Having used both types of breaker over the years I find the left hand one more durable over the years but it can be tight to get it in on some joints. Having said that I normally use the two hammer method these days as its quicker and no chance of damaging the rubbers. If you use this method I find two club hammers best and strike opposite sides at the same time.

Trev
Trevor Mason

Interesting Doug, when I fitted my rack, I noticed there was a gap between the rack and the mounts. If you didn't do the mounts up tightly (i.e. just nipped up) the rack would move rather than steering the wheels. Done up tight it was OK.

I always meant to figure out if there was supposed to be a packing bit in there but it's on the "list of things to do".

Malcolm.
M Le Chevalier

Malcolm

Yours is the Triumph rack, which uses different mountings, amongst other things.
Dave O'Neill 2

I use an old bike inner tire as a packing. I also heard about silicone kit. It takes some time to settle. The alignment procedure of the rack is not simple... I once broke a bracket.

Flip
Flip Brühl

This thread was discussed between 23/03/2015 and 24/03/2015

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