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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Steering rack pinion seal

Hi everyone, after some time browsing the archives, I'm still not quite sure how to proceed with my steering rack rebuild. It's one of the earlier types (1971 1275)and has been leaking from the pinion where it exits the rack and is splined onto the column. I ordered a pinion seal which appears to be a felt ring that fits nicely in every direction except it's too tall. So tall the retainer won't seat over it. Am I missing something here?
Also the retainer ring seems to have a rubber insert that seals against the pinion but it's pretty busted up - is that actually a rubber insert or is it left-over from an old seal? If it is part of the retainer, where can I find a replacement?
Advice would be much appreciated - I really hate the leak and while everything's on the bench would love to do everything possible to fix it.
Thanks!
Simon Fryer

My Advice... Dont!

The problem with these racks is there just like the front suspension... they can get rank and nasty really quick during disaseembly, and you have to be prepared to see it to the end and it wont be pretty...and sometimes that can get expensive, time consuming and just alot of B.S. to get the rack pulled apart...esp at the cup cap and ball joints ..(ill take 2 strokes and some bad foot odor to go with a rack rebuild)

personally id look around for a fresh rebuilt one ... where you just plug and play and your done....there were several places that sold rebuilt ones, just make sure the quality is good and get referances for the builder as there are some shady idiots out there.

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Thanks Prop, I do appreciate the wisdom of your advice. On the other hand I might have exaggerated a little when I said 'rebuild' - I actually found that the rack was in fairly decent shape and decided that I wouldn't dismantle the whole thing - just clean what I could get at and replace the pinion seal. The cost of this vs. a getting a rebuilt rack to the Canadian Prairies seemed worthwhile.

So my two questions stand - do I have the right pinion seal and do I need to replace it's retainer?

Regards,
Simon

Simon Fryer

Im sorry for my interptation I should have read closer

Well thats certianly doable just fixing the seal

By pinion seal... are you refering to where the steering column intersects/connects into the rack???

If so I wish I could help you, but I just cant recall, I remember I made a gasket that goes under that cap on the front of the rack where the coloumn fits in behind, the gasket joint hasnt leaked scence, but I cant recall the retainer ... It was such a bad experiance rebuilding that thing, ive blocked most of it out... PTSD, hahaha,

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Thanks again Prop - I'm encouraged.

It's the seal where the pinion sticks out of the rack housing on its way to the steering column. The gasket you refer to would be on the other side where the plunger/spring gubbins fits.

Without wishing to dredge up traumatic memories, should you recall your experience with the retainer I would welcome the story.

Simon
Simon Fryer

I've never stripped and rebuilt a rack, but I can't see why it would be too hard. Especially if all you are doing is putting the same parts/shims -- (other than an oil seal) back in again.

Take a look in the BMC workshop manual. See section J. Very clear instructions.

If you don't have the BMC manual, I can send section J to you in a PDF.

Here's the late rack. If you want the earlier type, that's in there too with good instructions.

Lawrence Slater

The retainer appears to be no longer available from the usual sources. It was missing from the recon rack fitted to my car in 1983 and as a result the old felt seal was saturated in oil and impregnated with road dirt. I fitted a new felt seal and it appears to sit just a little proud of the housing - I'm assuming it will compress when the retainer is fitted.

There is a chap who turns new retainers out of nylon for the old style rack but he wanted 18 GBP and I've got a lot more pressing things to get on with before the steering rack goes back in. If you want his details I'll see if I can find his email.

Cheers Bill
W Dunsmore

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http://www.mgexp.com/phorum/read.php?3,2629522,2629522#msg-2629522



Norm

Norm Kerr

This thread was discussed on 31/08/2014

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