Steering Rack

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone knows if it is possible to refurbish a steering rack? Im restoring my 83 Campaign at the moment and would like to eradicate the sloppy steering!

I have seen a few on ebay, made by Meyle for a decent price but would it be worth it? Is a brand new Meyle one going to just as bad as a 30 year old genuine one?

Anyone had any experience with these Meyle ones, or any other makes for that matter? Or does anyone know if my genuine one can be refurbed to bring it back to new?!

Thanks!

I fitted a new Meyle rack to my 83 tintop, it seems to be really good quality, unlike the manky old original one which was full of big metal splinters.

Top tip if doing a resto is to change the rack before you have the engine and exhaust and driveshafts and the gear linkage fitted. I found it almost impossible to get the old rack out through the apperture in the passenger inner wing.
You would think that much would be obvious, but it obviously wasnt to me.

Thanks for the reply, I may give on of the meyle ones a go!

Luckily the engine and other bits will be well out of the way when fitting!

i think meyle was a parts supplier for the mk1 , as far as i know its oem quality , also , unscrewing the track rods in situ may help removal

Once a new rack is fitted does the steering feel alot 'tighter' if you know what I mean?

I didn't get a chance to really drive the mk1 I'm restoring at the moment but my mk1's and mk2's of the past had very sloppy steering! The steering wheel would move about an inch to two inches before the wheels moved! Is this down to a worn rack?

The car I'm restoring now was owned by an old man from new and had 114k on it. I very much doubt it's been ragged about but I would hat to put it all back together to find out that the steering was sloppy! It would just make the job of changing the rack much more difficult! I'm not sure weather to risk it or not!

Is there any way to tell if the rack is worn/has play in it while it is off the car?