Steering wheel centering

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goodeggbob
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Steering wheel centering

Post by goodeggbob »

Hello, i may have to replace my steering rack on the car ,and was wondering if anyone has any tips on ensuring the steering wheel is central when driving in a straight line?
I do have an idea that may work out ,but i would like to hear some other views before i attempt it, in reality,i am hoping that someone else suggests what i am thinking,thanks,rob.
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Re: Steering wheel centering

Post by qwakers »

center it when you start and tie it off, mark the center point on the rack to be sure, fit the new rack center it and connect the uj.

then have it aligned, cos the track rod ends will never be bang on...
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goodeggbob (Tue Feb 11, 2020 10:30 pm)
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Re: Steering wheel centering

Post by goodeggbob »

I was thinking of something different to this as i will be seperating the rack from the tie rods before removal,thus leaving the rods and rod ends untouched,does this make sense? rob.
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Re: Steering wheel centering

Post by qwakers »

sure, but the rack will be slightly different (there all made to a tolerance), so youll still need a alignment.
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Re: Steering wheel centering

Post by Boston Rotary »

Good luck 👍
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goodeggbob (Wed Feb 12, 2020 7:38 am)
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goodeggbob
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Re: Steering wheel centering

Post by goodeggbob »

Try this James, i was going to swing the steering wheel to full lock either left or right,which is determined by the rack itself,then lock the steering wheel in that position so it cant turn either way. Then i would undo the tie rods from the rack and remove it. The new rack has no tie rods,so i would send that to the full lock i have chosen,and couple up to the uj.
Hopefully,this should mean that when i center the wheel again,i should be going in a straight line,however,i agree,best have the alignement checked.
Does this seem reasonable,or am i over thinking it,rob. :?
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Re: Steering wheel centering

Post by qwakers »

quite a few ways to skin a cat. that should work, but it isnt the way id do it.
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Re: Steering wheel centering

Post by goodeggbob »

I may not have to swap the rack yet,but i went through a big flood the other day,and the power steering failed half way thru.
Obviously i will check the electrics first,but the rack has been grinding for a while now,so maybe time to do it anyway.
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Re: Steering wheel centering

Post by goodeggbob »

Well,i have succesfully swapped my rack over,and was very relieved to see the light go out.
I did it the way i described above,and bingo,my wheel is central when in a straight line. I didn't encounter many difficulties,all quite easy really,so thought i would decat it as a present,all ready for the map and coil change at the agm,bloody hell ,these cars are great,rob.
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ChrisHolmes (Sat Feb 15, 2020 7:19 pm)
Rob :thumright:
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Re: Steering wheel centering

Post by 30405 »

goodeggbob wrote:Well,i have succesfully swapped my rack over,and was very relieved to see the light go out.
I did it the way i described above,and bingo,my wheel is central when in a straight line. I didn't encounter many difficulties,all quite easy really,so thought i would decat it as a present,all ready for the map and coil change at the agm,bloody hell ,these cars are great,rob.
There's only one way to test it properly, especially after a map and new coils Rob......
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goodeggbob (Sat Feb 15, 2020 6:40 pm)