Inner tie-rod balljoint

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Karl
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Re: Inner tie-rod balljoint

Post by Karl »

Peter,
in my case there was enough oil/grease mixture in there. I found out that they put EP90 gear oil in there for the rack lubrication and the inner ball joints are lubricated (filled) with grease. The steering rack was otherwise in perfect condition, only the rack supporting bush has been wearing away and causes the play. During looking for information I found out that there is only one bush in the rack and up to now with Clive we have three different types of inner tie rod connections!.Just grab your rubber on the left hand side of the rack and move it up/down/forward/back and see if you have any movement.
To find a new bus seems to be not so easy, I will tell you when/if I get one!
Karl
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clive
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Re: Inner tie-rod balljoint

Post by clive »

I must say that the amount of play in my rack was worrying, but it is not an MOT fail which surprised me! As Karl says, lubrication is 1/3 pint of EP90 which is poured into the rack open end whilst standing it on it's end, this would be difficult with the rack on the car! Because I replaced my rack I haven't got round to refurbishing mine and it might be that a specialist is required to remove the old bush and replace it. Perhaps a bit of searching on the MG owner's club might shed some light on the matter.

PS. I thought that there might be an excessive angle change on the track rods and the wheel causing wear on the bush, but having looked under mine today it doesn't seem to be that bad.
Cheers, Clive.

(If I'm not here I'm in my workshop or on the golf course!)
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peterc
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Re: Inner tie-rod balljoint

Post by peterc »

Thanks guys. When I am allowed back into the garage I will check mine.
As Clive’s is a slab side car and Karl’s an FIA then that isn’t the answer either.
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clive
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Re: Inner tie-rod balljoint

Post by clive »

Do they not use the same rack?
Cheers, Clive.

(If I'm not here I'm in my workshop or on the golf course!)
Karl
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Re: Inner tie-rod balljoint

Post by Karl »

Yes, parts are all the same, only wheel and tire sizes are different. I think that is what Peter means.
Karl
Karl
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Re: Inner tie-rod balljoint

Post by Karl »

I can recommend that everybody who is running his Hawk with MG B steering rack cfor some years now heck the condition of the rack guiding (bearing)bush.
This is on the left side on RHD cars. Grab the gaiter with the track rod inside and move it up/down/forward/back. If you feel any movement take off the gaiter and look inside the rack if you still have a bush. They can wear totally away, only small particles in the gaiter are left. If you want to tackle the repair yourself you can contact me and I can guide you through the process. The internal parts for the steering rack are no longer available on the market.
Be safe, regards
Karl
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peterc
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Re: Inner tie-rod balljoint

Post by peterc »

Karl,
As you have specified it’s the LH side on RHD cars do we assume that the RH side is better located due to the proximity of the input shaft and therefore is less likely to wear.
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clive
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Re: Inner tie-rod balljoint

Post by clive »

The play on the offside is taken up by the steering shaft. As far as I could make out there is no bush on that side.
Cheers, Clive.

(If I'm not here I'm in my workshop or on the golf course!)
Karl
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Re: Inner tie-rod balljoint

Post by Karl »

The rack is pushed down on the pinion (steering shaft) by a spring loaded halfround plastic guide on the right side. This side has no bush.
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