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MG MGA - Steering Rack

Hi

I need a new rack but I can't decide whether to get my rack reconditioned or buy new. Strangely the price is about the same for either option. Any thoughts?
Also does anyone have dimensions for the adaptor plate(BTB124/5) for the front disc caliper either MGA or MGB caliper or a pair of spares gathering dust in the garage.

Thanks

Barry
B Bridgens

If it were me I would have the original reconditioned. You might even be able to do it yourself with the usual support from Barney's excellent site.
N McGurk

Hi

Getting parts is a problem. I tried getting shims for the track rods but everwhere is NLA. There is also side to side movement of the rack in the housing which I am not sure how to fix or even if it can be fixed, which is why I considered a new rack.

Barry
B Bridgens

The shims are only thin metal sheets, you could make them yourself.

The bit about sideways movement is confusing - perhaps you could explain this better

Otherwise there are only very few replaceable parts: The rubber boots, the felt in the column and the sprung dampers at each end of the rack itself.

The real issue is getting the inner ball joints to unscrew.
dominic clancy

Hi Dominic

The play I refer to, if you look at the end of the steering rack assembly I can move the inner rack horizontaly from the front to the back of the car direction by about 6mm. There is little up and down movement. Hope this explanation is better to understand.

Barry
B Bridgens

Hi

Sorry the movement is 3mm not 6mm.

Barry
B Bridgens

May I make a suggestion?

If you have a friend or an acquaintance with a metal lathe you can make or refurbish pretty much any part of the rack that requires attention.

As long as you understand what has to be done to the component to remove the wear you should be fine. Hardened items can be reground and re-hardened as required also. This would require taking them to a specialist firm who do that kind of thing but it is all totally achievable.

Our cars have now moved into the category of requiring professional restoration methods for many parts like that of veteran and vintage cars that are no longer made. They can't purchase parts for these cars anymore so they have to resort to making pretty much everything. Many parts on our MGA's now fall into that category unless a specialist firm offers alternatives.

I hope you are able to get your rack serviced to your satisfaction.
Steve
S L Bryant

FYI - Moss sells a new rack for less than $240 US. Get it from LBCC, and it would be probably $220 or so.
Tom Going

I have a brand new rack, still in the plastic package,from Victoria British, that I would be willing to sell for $175.00 + shipping. It's is brand new ,never used.
Gordon Harrison

Hi Gordon

Thanks for the offer but I fear the shipping costs might be prohibitive ( I live in France). I can a new rack from Limora in Germany for €195 ($240) I guess that it is a far eastern copy for that price. I have been quoted £300 for the repair of my rack so I might just take it out and have a go myself. Steve I have a lathe and milling facilities in my workshop.

Anyone got dimension of the caliper adaptor as mine are missing and they are so expensive new.

thanks

Barry
B Bridgens

This thread was discussed between 24/05/2012 and 25/05/2012

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