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MG MGB Technical - Steering rack removal

Now I've got the tie rod ends separated I need to remove the steering rack from the crossmember in preparation for removing the latter. Is there anything I need to be aware of when doing this? I've read about alignment tools for the UJ and shims under the mounting points. Is the refitting of the rack going to be critical?
Steve Church

When unbolting the rack from the crossmember, count how many shims, if any, there are. Some cars have none at all. Remove the upper bolt from the steering shaft U joint. This will allow you to slide the shaft and U joint assembly from the upper shaft. The upper bolt only fits back in one way, but match marking the upper and lower steering shafts is always a good idea to ease in re-assembling the two shafts. You may have to insert a stubby screwdriver into the upper U joint assembly to get it to release from the upper steering shaft. The same goes for re-assembly. RAY
rjm RAY

If you've not had a problem with steering column UJs the alignment is probably correct, so put any shims back exactly how they came off as Ray says. But Moss Europe is now selling the alignment gauge http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=17787 for an astonishing £8 considering the US price is $25, and it is worth having. However you will need to order something else as well as it is so cheap it is below their minimum order :o)

But I've always removed the lower bolt and slid the rack shaft out of the UJ, you certainly have to do that with rubber bumpers as there is no way the UJ will pass through the engine mount bracket! My RB V8 seems odd in that it is the rack shaft that has to be in one position in the UJ before the bolt passes through, the CB roadster is the other way round, so unless you can remove the rack with the UJ on the end of the rack shaft you should definitely mark the rack shaft and UJ before removing the lower bolt and parting the two.
PaulH Solihull

This thread was discussed between 29/12/2010 and 30/12/2010

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