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MG MGA - New Steering Racks

Last week I was reading a thread about greasing not oiling your rack. Some one said (American) that there new rack did not have nipples so putting in the wrong lubricant was no a problem. Can anyone out there tell me if there is someone manufacturing NEW Racks and if so do they make Right hand drive one.

David Swaine UK
David swaine

Only LHD as far as I am aware. However, Heathrow MG Services were working on a new RHD rack, but I think the guy is selling up now.
Neil McGurk

David

Other way round. Oil, not grease.

Steve
Steve Gyles

The Heathrow MG guy has been "selling up" for years. It's a permanent "closing down" sale....
dominic clancy

Steve. Re oil versus grease in the steering rack, when I queried this with Bob West on my Twin Cam (normal RHD steering rack presumably?) he said to just use normal grease and not bother with oil. Any thoughts?
Bruce Mayo

Bruce,

You should use the oil in the rack. The action of the rack and pinion is quite different from something such as a bearing.
The movement of the pinion across the rack moves the grease to the ends of the rack as the steering is used. The grease does not return and eventually the rack and pinion has no lubricant at the centre, where it needs it most.

Mick
Mick Anderson

Mick
Many thanks for that. Sounds all logical and sensible. However, if no oil appears to be coming out of the rack anywhere, ie. no leaks, does that mean no need to to put any in?!! Or am I being too simple! Perhaps answering my own question, I suppose if none appears to be leaking out it could be that it is in fact empty and needs some oil. Thouigh it steers very well and easily so I don't think it's dry.
Grateful your thoughts.
Bruce Mayo

Bruce,

If there are no leaks you should still lubricate the steering rack as per the Workshop Manual. For your Twin Cam it shows that you should use ten strokes of the MG oil gun for the rack and two strokes for the pinion every 12,000 Miles.
The correct lubricant is 90 grade hypoid oil.

Obviously if there is any leakage after oiling this should be rectified and the rack re-oiled.

Mick
Mick Anderson

You can verify the correct amount of oil in the steering rack by ear. Jack up the front end and turn the wheels full lock to lock and back again. With the correct amount of oil in the rack you should hear the oil gurgling or slushing in and out of the gaiters (rack seal boots). If there is no gurgling sound there is not enough oil inside, or perhaps someone put grease in it rather than gear oil.
Barney Gaylord

This thread was discussed between 06/04/2008 and 09/04/2008

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