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MG TD TF 1500 - Rack and pinion angle

Hello,

I am interested as to what angle the rack and pinion steering makes with the horizontal on an MG TD.

For years I have had shims under the rack to compensate for the fact that the chassis was out of alignment.

Now that I am rebuilding the car from the ground up, I was hoping that someone might be able to measure this angle on their TD and let me know what it should be.

I have had the chassis straightened and realigned, but I still think the angle is too steep as the steering rack fouls the engine stabiliser mount.

Thanks,
Rhys
TD12434
Vic, Australia
R Alexander

Rhys,
Is your TD right hand drive??? The rack is well in front of the stabilizer,, can you post a pic of the fouling?
Maybe it is the steering shaft that is fouling??

THANKS AGAIN TO DAVE FOR THE PICTURE!!!!!!!!!!!

SPW

STEVE WINCZE

Thanks for the prompt reply Steve.

Yes it is a RHD and I should have made it clearer that it is the steering shaft coming out of the rack and pinion that seems to be a greater incline than perhaps it should.

This is caused by the mounts for the rack and pinion itself, which look to have been bent and re-shaped at some point in the life of the car.

A photo at this stage probably would not show much as I haven't mounted the engine stabiliser bracket yet. I have only had a trial fit, and it appears as though the steering rack will either prevent the bracket from being fitted or scrape on the bottom of the bracket.

I measured the angle of the steering arm on my car to be around 26 degrees. Would someone mind checking theirs.... ?


Rhys
R Alexander

Hi Rhys,
The body of the R&P steering on my TD is a casting, and I don't think it could be "bent and reshaped". If it is an original R&P steering for a RHD TD, I would suggest you look at the mounting brackets on the front cross member. If these have been previously damaged, and not relocated properly, it would not take much to put your R&P out of alignment.

George
G. L. Raham

Thanks George,

That is what my concern is. The mounting brackets on the front of the car appear to have been damaged or bent at some stage.

Since having the chassis straightened and re-aligned, I am still concerned that, even though they have been repaired, the angle that the rack is mounted at may be still too steep.

If someone is able to measure the angle that their steering pinion is, with respect to the horizontal, I would be very appreciative.

Rhys.
R Alexander

Hi again Rhys,
As my R&P is installed, I don't know how I would be able to get an accurate measurement for you. I might suggest that you bolt your R&P very loosely to the mounting brackets using only 2 bolts in the top position. Then see if you can hook up the 3 bolts to the steering column and tighten them up. The upper end of the steering column should be supported in it's correct position. This should give you some idea as to the angle for the R&P, and should tell you if the brackets have to be adjusted. You may have to do some shimming on the 2 bottom R&P bolts to get the it to bolt down securely. Keep in mind that you are working with a casting, and it will not take a lot of torque on it.

George
G. L. Raham

Thanks George,

The chassis is basically bare at the moment. The only things on the chassis are the shockers and the steering rack!

I actually downloaded an "app" and used my phone to measure the angle.

Rhys.
R Alexander

Hi Rhys,
why not just loose fit the rack,fit the column and tilt the rack until the pinion shaft and column line up.That is unless your car does not have a stiffening hoop.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

This thread was discussed between 16/03/2014 and 17/03/2014

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