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 Tell Me the Truth

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 Posted: Dec 4, 2019 05:59AM
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US
If you decide to replace your rack I'd be interested in your old one for parts. Steve (CTR)

 Posted: Dec 3, 2019 07:37AM
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Just came in after wiping 3 inches of snow after last nights storm. My problem turned out to be a loose wheel. Thank  God. Still have to deal with the rack, that did not go away.

 Posted: Dec 2, 2019 04:16PM
 Edited:  Dec 2, 2019 04:22PM
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Yesterday I heard this rotating thud sound. Checked out all the wheels and came up with some play in the pass side steering rack extension arm. Today it sounded as if the drive axles were clunking and banging. This was a rotational noise. What could be going on? I barely made it home from going into town and returning driving 6 miles total. 30 MPH was max. To late tonight to look at it. Hopefully I could report back tomorrow. Maybe some could shed some light in the mean time. Transmission ? Diff?

 Posted: Dec 2, 2019 09:06AM
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Yes you have to remove the steering column as it is attached to the steering rack.
I remove one end of the stabilizer bar and drop the frame about 3 inches, remember to also loosen or remove the front sub frame to front panel bolts.
To avoid fighting with the U bolts after you remove them try installing them back into the holes from inside the car. They usually spring out slightly when removed so they need to be "pinched up" in a vice and then re checked, this will make installing them a lot easier.
You can buy the bushing separately if you want to try that route, the inner ball and sockets generally do not wear out.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Dec 2, 2019 07:43AM
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If I choose to go the rack replacement route, do I remove the steering column? 

 Posted: Dec 2, 2019 03:37AM
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Not sure about an SPI but my MK1 mini needed the frame about 3 in down to get the rack out. Loosen everything and you can get enough play to get it out. Getting the U bolts back in was a bear. I nipped the ends to make them slide in easier.

Mark Looman, Ada Michigan 1967 Austin Cooper S
 Posted: Dec 1, 2019 03:11PM
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Maybe five years ago my street mini failed state inspection for a bad inner steering rod end passenger side. I still haven't
replaced it and have covered roughly 10,000 miles a year. Went to classic car tags. If you can find a bad rack with one good 
end you can replace in place. I have been able to rebuild two doing this. I have also machined an oil lite and plastic bushings to tighten the off end. Those were done out of car. Steve (CTR)

 Posted: Dec 1, 2019 10:31AM
 Edited:  Dec 1, 2019 02:33PM
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My steering rack bushing (passenger side) or the ball joint at the rack and tie rod extension is moving. What can I expect to remedy this situation? I am currently hearing a thud sound with the rotation of the front wheels. I see that you can not buy the ball joint extension.

How long do I have?

How much does the subframe have to drop for me to get the old rack out and new in? It is a Fuel Injected mini.