Steering rack refurb options

[r10crw]

Need to do a refurb on a mates VX in my care and was originally looking at a complete replacement but remembered a conversation with someone (maybe Woody?) who did their own refurb?

What actually wears? I remember something about brass end cups but does the pinion not actually wear?

Any advice on options appreciated.

PS If its matter, 53 plate VX turbo.

[2F45T4U]

I bought a load of spares from Titan for my S1. There are ptfe sleeves in the rack body. Pinion wear can be taken out by adjustment to the preload but the main wear/steering play will be on the inboard balls. Theres a ptfe cup which deforms over time after being pummelled by the ball. You can split the joint, replace the cup and adjust the preload on the ball. I bought complete arms but the preload was all that needed set. Youre supposed to set the tension with a spring balance. You may have to re drill and dowel the locknut retainer.
I made some phosphor bronze cups after seeing them for sale somewhere but i never actually bothered with them in the end and used the ptfe ones instead. I felt the PB ones would be less resilient and would hammer out of shape quicker than the ptfe.
The balls werent actually worn at all and ive still got enough spares to rebuild about 3 racks.
Next time i would just adjust the ball preload rather than rebuild. But nevermind.
Oh and the quick rack i have as well uses different parts from the std rack....which is another reason i have so many spares left.
The most difficult bit of the job is removing the rack in the first place....which you would obviously be doing if you replaced it anyway....
Definitely get new gaiters.
If you dont change the arms run a dienut down the threads and wrap in denso tape. It will make doing the tracking a breeze.

I have all the part numbers and an exploded drawing aomewhere. I'll have to dig it out.

Titan were very pleased to help, although i had all the part numbers to hand for them.

Im sure the VX will be similar but this may help someone with and Elise who likes to do a bit.

[woody]

Think the VX will have the later Sona manufactured rack which doesn't have the replaceable cups etc... Can be identified by having a steel tube in the center rather than a 1-piece casting.

There is/was a place doing overhauled racks on an exchange basis fairly cheaply (£150ish?) that Robin & others had used. I sent them a titan rack having overhauled it previously & got back a Sona that seems ok. Will probably just buy a new rebuild-able one next time (if there is a next time) as I'm not sure how much a £150 overhaul really buys you in terms of checking the pinion etc... and the cars are getting old now.

[tut]

N3 was badly worn on one side so Craig sent it away for refurb/exchange.

tut

[iain3915]

I had mine refurbished by Titan for about £115 including return postage. They used phosphor bronze cups that I supplied from Seriously Lotus. I had no complaints about the service from Titan and would gladly recommend them.

I think the earlier VX220 turbos had titan racks and the later ones had Sona.

[r10crw]

Thanks everyone, brilliant replies as usual.

Ill get it out first then, back home next week and will remove to determine type but tbh will probably just send away for a rebuild. No rush for car.

Thanks folks.

[iain3915]

I think you may be able to see the steering rack with the wheels still on by peering in the arch with the wheels turned fully.



Top one is Sona; bottom is Titan.

These are the phosphor bronze cups I used: http://www.seriouslylotus.com/suspensio ... ronze-cups

[Ferg]

When I looked at this before it was said that you can replace the nylon cups many times but if you use the bronze cups it damages other parts and more needs replaced. It was Ceejam who did a whole post on the process. I'm sure it'll come up in the search.

[campbell]

Had one successful refurb from another place, but CMC are recommending a new rack this time.