Superspec Steering Rack

[Al Milton]

Hi Al,

 

It is also worth checking that all the pinch bolts on the UJ's are VERY tight and have not 'bottomed out' on the bolt shoulder (or worked loose over time), preventing a full tight clamp on the splined shaft.

If you suspect this, replace with new high tensile bolts, just for piece of mind use threadloc before fitting a new nyloc as well.

 

This is how I resolved a clunk on my steering with about 5mm of play at the steering wheel.

My steering is now as tight as a tight thing.

 

Hope this helps.

Al

[alanrichey]

Good idea. The bolt I pulled out had bent so I replaced it anyway but I will get a proper replacement for it. I guess the pinch bolt on the steering column end is a bit academic as the UV joint is welded to the shaft (although I guess the weld may have failed).

[Al Milton]

The bolt I removed and changed was also bent.

It was the pinch bolt onto the steering rack input spline.

It's highly unlikely the weld has failed, but you never know.

 

For info, my UJ isn't welded to the shaft, it's bolted.

[fry61]

The welded-on U/J dries out in the welding due to heat soak -- Florin's bottom U/J suffered from a little play which was mentioned as an "advisory" on its 2nd MOT -- bought a replacement with clamp/pinch-bolt each end & fabricated a replacement bottom end steering column -- the necessary welding could then be done without the U/J present. All fine since.

[alanrichey]

The bolt I removed and changed was also bent.

It was the pinch bolt onto the steering rack input spline.

Interesting, maybe a design fault ?

 

For info, my UJ isn't welded to the shaft, it's bolted.

Odd. I thought the standard steering column on a Superspec had a plain end, not splined, hence the need for a weld in addition to the bolt. Got that from Richard Stewart.

[alanrichey]

....fabricated a replacement bottom end steering column -- the necessary welding could then be done without the U/J present. All fine since.

Sounds like a good idea. Need to find a splined shaft from somewhere. I guess an Escort steering column ?

[fry61]

The replacement U/J purchased ( Car Builder Solutions) was splined to match rack & other end was female truncated triangle. I added a length of silver steel to existing shaft then wittled it down in my mini-mill to create the triangle; using every other flat on a hex nut for the correct angle.

 

Believe I used - Part Number UJP3 @ £31:20 inc Vat. Hope that helps Alan.

Edited June 17, 2014 by florin metal works

[Knock-on]

Be careful when you tighten the U bolts up when attaching the steering rack to the chassis. I think the Escort one is stronger but the old Sierra one can be easily damaged by over tightening. That's why we made the clamps (and they're never going to fail or work loose).

[alanrichey]

Just as a followup now my problem has been fixed. Contrary to my initial understanding the UJ was NOT welded to the steering shaft and the steering shaft WAS splined. My problem was simply worn splines and an inability to tighten the UJ bolts enough with 'ordinary' spanners. Once the splines were renovated a bit with a triangular file and the bolts were done up with an enormous wrench, steering is now rock solid.