Just wondering how much free play you should have in a Mk2 Escort quick rack. I can move the steering wheel 10 - 15mm (at the outer edge) in the centre position before moving the rack - is this ok or is it worn or needing adjustment?

How do you adjust the pre load anyway?


[Edited on 17-8-07 by RazMan]

preload - I'll look in the haynes manual but would guess it invovles removing the oval cover and either adjusting inside or by use of shims.

re: play the movement of steering wheel on the edge is not the best inidcator as it would depend on steering wheel diameter - an angle would be better.

mines is a new RD quick rack that has done maybe 300 miles and there is play in it. I'll try to measure the ange and post on here. I'm kinda surprised there is any play on a virtually new rack.

Thanks matey

A quick & dirty conversion of the amount of play equals roughly 9 degrees (10/400 x 360) which seems a bit much for a new rack.

Hi Razman.

I played around with mine and got rid of all the freeplay. There are shims under the oval plate which houses a nylon bush and spring, just keep plucking them out this pushes the rack into the pinion.

Regards Mark

Before doing anything check you haven't go lost motions on one of the splined joints in the steering column --- especially check the steering wheel is tight.

If you do adjust the rack remember to check that it isn't binding excessively at full lock in both directions.

Thanks for the input guys

At first I really thought that the steering wheel was loose so that was the first thing I checked, followed by a check of all the joints on the way down to the rack. I am certain that the play is in the rack so it looks as though adjustment is required.

Without the benefit of a manual, do I just whip off the cover and remove a shim or two? If it is that simple I will be pleasantly suprised / gobsmacked

Has anyone got a pic?

[Edited on 17-8-07 by RazMan]

I'm with BT - when I notice this problem, it's almost always the splined joint on the steering rack end coming a bit loose. It doesn't take much looseness to make it feel dodgy.

Well I'll go to the foot of our stairs

I was just about to take the cover off to have a fiddle, but I decided to take a close look at the pinch bolt & splined joint.

It was tight so I removed it and replaced it with a new stainless one, just to be on the safe side. The result is that all the play has gone! The amount of wear on the bolt must have been tiny but enough to feel in the steering - amazing!

Thanks again guys - gotta love this knowledge base we call a forum

*edit* Just a thought - should I have used a 12.9 high tensile bolt? I used an M8 A2 stainless jobbie. I don't really fancy the idea of it breaking on me

[Edited on 17-8-07 by RazMan]

I used a HT bolt as I found I had to do it up 'f-tight'.

If the spline is doing what it's supposed to, then the bolt is just squeezing it tight. I would say that an 8-8 bolt will be more than up to the job. HTH Ray