Problem with steering rack

Samhilliar · Post by **Samhilliar** » Fri Feb 01, 2019 9:05 pm

Keep going tight and then loose

Post by **Phil Bate** » Fri Feb 01, 2019 10:51 pm

Hi, first thing to check is the electrical connector for the power assistance. It sits under the air cleaner tray and is susceptible to water ingress from the coolant tank over flow. Separate the connector and clean the pins up with some electrical contact cleaner and see if it improves things:

WP_000244%20(1).jpg

Post by **warpc0il** » Fri Feb 01, 2019 10:56 pm

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=47002

zippyonline · Post by **zippyonline** » Thu Feb 07, 2019 4:50 pm

I've been through this process...there's a troubleshooting section on it in the manual you'll get access to as a member. I ended up replacing my rack, but it may just be the earths etc. on the loom.

Here's a write-up bit of what I went through on mine including some photos:

https://rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/viewt ... 0#p1196178

GreySilver Beast · Post by **GreySilver Beast** » Thu Feb 07, 2019 4:52 pm

Hi Sam &

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BigPete · Post by **BigPete** » Thu Feb 07, 2019 5:48 pm

I have a replacement steering rack for sale should you need one.

Post by **Shagrington** » Fri Feb 08, 2019 2:54 am

Hi and

Samhilliar.

Tell us more about the car (how long have you had it, any other problems etc) and about yourself - eg roughly where you are in the country (there may be local meets and specialists nearby).

Samhilliar · Post by **Samhilliar** » Sat Feb 09, 2019 12:14 am

Ok cool

V8 Power · Post by **V8 Power** » Sat Feb 09, 2019 6:19 am

I had the same thing. After I had eliminated other causes such as the universal joint drying out and bad earth’s I ended up getting the steering rack changed. Bigpete supplied me with a good second hand one which was installed and all was and still is good again.

PJ_Parsons · Post by **PJ_Parsons** » Sat Feb 09, 2019 9:03 am

I had similar problems myself about a year ago. I posted here about it and got some helpful responses. However I forgot to post my solution. Having gone through the various steps mentioned in previous posts, I still had problems. Although, I would mention that the universal joint needed attention. I ended up fitting a reconditioned rack, which cost about £300. It came from Complete Automotive Aftermarket Solutions Ltd in Heckmodwicke. Phone number is 01924 418988. I know you can buy a used one for less and that may turn out to be a better option. However, power steering problems seem to be a regular issue with the car, so putting on a used rack leaves a good chance of it happening again.

Samhilliar · Post by **Samhilliar** » Sun Feb 10, 2019 1:37 am

Thanks u 4 helping

mi60o0 · Post by **mi60o0** » Sun Feb 10, 2019 8:05 am

depend where you are based I have mint condition rac together with the ujoint but is collection only South east London

shroom · Post by **shroom** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 3:10 pm

Sorry to hijack thread but see no point in posting yet another steering failure. it's happened to me this morning and the steering light was on and no power steering.

This was an issue with the car before and a second hand loom has been fitted etc and has been fine for 2000 miles since my ownership. I presume that if the connectors were not cleaned or water has got to the plug since I have had it (it's parked outside on a slope) I could get issues.

It happened last week when I started it and after turning it off and on again it came back to life so hoping it is electrical but today it was not having any of it .

Seems a bit of a nightmare of an issue so close to the AGM track day !

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Post by **warpc0il** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 4:06 pm

Check the pas fuse, next to the battery positive terminal.

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Dave2112 · Post by **Dave2112** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 6:22 pm

I had issues with my power steering being intermittent last year, cleaned all the connectors several times, but would still be temperamental each time I started the car. I changed the battery and it has never gone off since. Either fully charge your battery or replace it and see if that sorts it.

shroom · Post by **shroom** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:15 pm

warpc0il wrote:Check the pas fuse, next to the battery positive terminal.

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Cheers for the suggestions guys. The fuse Looked fine so I removed the connectors under the filter intake box as well as the plug that goes onto the steering rack and gave them a good soaking in electrical contact cleaner. Also removed and cleaned the earth under the filter box. I had taken the battery off so did the steering reset thing and it seemed to be fine. Taken it for a 15 mile blast and it all seems ok for the time being.

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shroom · Post by **shroom** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:16 pm

Dave2112 wrote:I had issues with my power steering being intermittent last year, cleaned all the connectors several times, but would still be temperamental each time I started the car. I changed the battery and it has never gone off since. Either fully charge your battery or replace it and see if that sorts it.

Interesting one that! That is exactly what mine is doing, I will see if cleaned the connections does help and if not I will get a new battery as it doesn't look particularly great anyway.

Cheers all

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Samhilliar · Post by **Samhilliar** » Thu Feb 14, 2019 5:16 pm

Tnx u

MarkG M3CP · Post by **MarkG M3CP** » Sat Feb 16, 2019 11:17 pm

This seems like one of the more common failures.

I’ve just had my car apart to replace the oil lines but the steering is suffering too - ok turning left, stiff as hell turning right.

I’m going to try the universal joint lubrication as I’ve cleaned all the connectors (not the earth though

).

Realistically, how long does a rack swap take it it comes to that?

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auditt235 · Post by **auditt235** » Mon Jun 22, 2020 8:53 pm

Hi I have seen somewhere that it is possible to get a power steering warning light on if the car is left with no battery for some time? I've searched and can't find a thread? Well my car has been 'resting' without a battery for three years - lots of reasons, but last week I bought a new battery to fire it up...usual DSC light warning, but lock to lock seemed to get rid of that. However, I do have the dreaded power steering failure light on? Currently, the car is on axle stands after fitting PZ suspension, and the brakes are off being fettled. Can anyone point me in the direction of this problem and possible solutions?

Thanks in advance

John

Ainmhidh · Post by **Ainmhidh** » Mon Jun 22, 2020 9:00 pm

I believe it should go away the next time the car is started (with continual battery)?

meaningking · Post by **meaningking** » Tue Oct 20, 2020 6:45 pm

MarkG M3CP wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 16, 2019 11:17 pm
This seems like one of the more common failures.

I’ve just had my car apart to replace the oil lines but the steering is suffering too - ok turning left, stiff as hell turning right.

I’m going to try the universal joint lubrication as I’ve cleaned all the connectors (not the earth though ).

Realistically, how long does a rack swap take it it comes to that?

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Hi, just wondering if the universal joint lubrication might sort this issue or is it best I replace the entire rack?

MarkG M3CP · Post by **MarkG M3CP** » Tue Oct 20, 2020 6:51 pm

Mine was the entire rack - the UJ lubrication made no difference.

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