15 replies to this topic

[Karlosfandango]

The vx has just failed the MOT on excessive wear on the offside front inner track rod end ball joint. Is this a replaceable part or is it part of the steering rack? It seems the normal track rod ends can't be used for the inner ends.

[LY_Scott]

can't see inner track rod ends on diagram of steering rack.

[techieboy]

Think that might mean a new/recon rack Karl. I failed on excessive play on the nearside. I replaced the nearside track rod end when the MOT people advised that was the problem. Didn't solve the issue as it turned out to be play in the rack itself and they failed it again. Was a good excuse to fit a quick rack in it's place though and sailed through after doing that.

[calletson]

My MOT is in a few months, how can i check my ball joints aren't worn, just grip them and try to move them?? What technique do the MOT testers use?? I hate MOT's...

[Karlosfandango]

All they said was that if you grab the wheel then there was a bit of movement and put it down to the inner track rod end as I assume they could see what the outer one was doing.

[LY_Scott]

Would sound like play in the rack itself then. I'm sure there's a contact for the Original Equipment Manufacturer around somewhere f you search. Or if you PM 'Scotsdave' he had to replace his rack too and went through them for a new one. He'll be able to advise. Scott.

[Winstar]

The rack is from Titan engineering.

[techieboy]

How old is your car? There are two different types of rack fitted to the VX and they seem to have changed over around 2003 (maybe with the turbo?).

The first rack was made by Titan Motorsport (not a million miles away from you in St Neots) and can be refurb'd by them for somewhere around the £100 mark (they can also convert it to a quick rack for £30 extra by changing the pinion). You can also buy the bits from them to do it yourself if you fancy it and there is a guide to do this on SELOC.

The second type of rack is made by a company in India called Sona and can't be refurbished (not by Titan, at least)

You can apparently tell the difference by peeling back the gaiter on the rack and checking the bushes. If they're made of brass, Titan can't help. I reckon you can probably tell which rack you've got by removing the wheel and looking down box section that the rack lives in (torch would be helpful) and compare it to the photo of the two racks below. If the rack is a bit chunkier and has the metal ridges along it as shown in the bottom of the two racks, you have the Titan version. It's also noticeably chunkier. The Sona version is a bit more slender and has a smooth tube.



When I needed to get mine done, Titan said it would take up to two weeks for them to refurb so I bought a new one from them outright (and opted for the quick rack version) and intend to get my old refurbed as a spare or for selling on. They were very good to deal with and stayed open a bit later on a Friday afternoon so I could get over to their place to collect it.

I stumbled through replacing it myself and whilst it wasn't fun, it wasn't too hard to do. Daggles has recently posted a brilliant How-To in the tuning/modifications section that would have been really helpful had I seen it, in time.

Edited by techieboy, 02 October 2008 - 02:24 PM.

[MaDFreeBiRD]

Just out of interest how much ws a new one with the quick rack option?

[Karlosfandango]

I think the quick rack was 280+vat and normal was 250+vat but check with mr Techie to be sure.

This is the best I can do for a pic..



Is it a titan? The play definately feels like it is from the rack, there is about a couple of mm give. Just makes it feel a bit notchy when you move the wheels.

[techieboy]

Yep. That's a Titan rack.

[Scotsdave]

TITAN

[Karlosfandango]

Cheers all I now have 10 working days to get it done before the re test runs out. That's really going to be pushing my speed of mechanical work.

[techieboy]

Cheers all

I now have 10 working days to get it done before the re test runs out. That's really going to be pushing my speed of mechanical work.

I know what you mean. I failed the test on the Friday lunchtime. Bought the replacement that afternoon. Then sat there looking at it for a week until I summoned up the courage to spend a day upside down in the footwell. Managed to do it on my own but another pair of hands when trying to mate the pinion to the column universal joint wouldn't have gone amiss. Good luck!

[daggles]

Check the steering column UJ's before you change the rack. 2 min job and a lot cheaper than a rack if that's the problem.

[Exmantaa]

You guys know that (a least the Titan version) the play in the rack can be adjusted by that big nut?? (If the play is not caused by the inner joints that is...) Worth investigating before you buy a new one. There is an adjustment procedure somewhere...