Steering rack and UJ

[limpabit]

Hi everyone.

I needed to get my rack inner tie rod extended as it was too short on the passenger side. So sent it off to get extended. Whilst there, they noticed about 8mm of play at the pinion. Not dangerous they said, but will feel a lot of play. So getting totally reconditioned now.

Whist the rack was off, I decided to investigate the rack pinion and uj splines. Not looked at them since building the car at the beginning. But remember some old posts saying the teeth in the UJ having different number of teeth. What I came across shocked me.

The column and UJ was off a Rover 220 turbo 1993. Going by the splines in the UJ, about 19 teeth and about 16mm in diameter. I say about, as it is badly worn both ends!
The Rack is off a MG Metro (rare as hens teeth now). Wider track than the standard Metro and a 17 teeth spline.
Rack end of UJ


Column end of UJ


Rusty end = Rack connection



So looking at possibly getting a forged one made up. Hoping a MGF UJ end will fit the rack. Going to try tomorrow so the right fitment can be identifed.