Classic Mini in Car Steering Rack Replacement

[@classicminidiy]

AMENDMENT JAN 2021: It appears that the racks no longer (or possibly never needed) to be oiled before installation. They only require oil in the event that you have replaced the gaitors and they lost oil. I think its still important to verify the oil level on the racks before installation but after verification, they are oiled you should be good to install!

[@Stevestonmotorco]

We've noticed that usually the shocks have to come off too. Epic rack job video *applause*

[@classicminidiy]

Thanks man. That’s the third time I’ve done it now and somehow it never gets easier. 😂 I ran into a dude from Toronto that said he drove his mini the 50 hours to your shop in BC. So epic! Jeff Mayer if you remember. Makes me wanna take a road trip...

[@LilibetMini90]

Suuuuuper helpful to see this broken down cleanly. Gotta do mine soon :|

[@classicminidiy]

@@LilibetMini90 Thank you! Glad it helps out and best of luck in the job. If you get stuck feel free to send me a note. :-)

[@AndyMarsh]

It's worth noting that on later cars a semi-fluid grease is specified instead of oil, this was done so that in the (very common) event of steering rack gaiter failure all the lubrication does not end up on the floor.

[@cal844]

This. Also your water leak will be the windscreen seal, use some flexible sealer that doesn't harden with time.

[@thebluep0tat0]

Also another tip - for removing the steering wheel off the column...after removing the large lock but, make two fists at 9 and 3 o’clock position...put on some Rush YYZ (or any hard rock band)...and play the drums for about 30 seconds (eventually lightly beating the top of your steering wheel). Works every time!

[@classicminidiy]

Ok this has to be one of the best tips I have heard. 👏🏼

[@paulrichter3081]

Fair play, that's an excellent video, really clear, very detailed description of what you are doing and why. My rack needs replacing (1972 mini), however watching your video makes realise I have made the right decision in booking it in with local garage where the mechanic has worked on mini's for over 20 years. When he told me what was involved he mentioned all the 'you may need to do this' things you included. I'm afraid this job is beyond my abilities, well done!

[@janetashkenazy7443]

Hi Paul. I am using my wife's facebook. I would like to know how long it took your mechanic to replace the steering rack on your Mini. The reason I ask is that I need to have it done too. I would appreciate a quick answer if possible as I must do it soon.. Thank you for your help. Regards. Joe By the way I am writing from Denmark.

[@paulrichter3081]

@@janetashkenazy7443 It's difficult to know precisely as they did it over a couple of days, but i seem to remember it taking around 6 - 8 hrs.some of the time was spent having to make adjustments to the steering column/wheel as the bit where the column is locked into the rack didn't align correctly - to prevent this I'd spend the extra £25 for an OEM steering rack. hope this helps. Thanks

[@janetashkenazy7443]

@@paulrichter3081 Thank you for answering me so quickly. Good information. Have a nice weekend. Joe

[@plymouthcolt]

Timely video as my rack needs replacement. A+++

[@busatrx850]

I’m thinking the thin plastic washer parts may also be to prevent any electrolytic action between the dissimilar metals of the rack and u bolts

[@marcelgeber6644]

AWESOME VIDEO! never seen this and I like how you do it :)

[@robertnehrbass2755]

Great video,had my done a few years ago.One problem I had was the guy that put mine in set the turn signal on the right side of wheel.I tried to move the stalk over to the left side,but it wont cancel when you turn the wheel straight.also the horn doesn't work all the time.

[@traylorjbc]

The alignment on a classic min should be at 23 minutes Toe Out. Front Wheel Drive cars run with Toe Out as torque will pull the wheels straight when pulling the car. Rear Wheel Drive cars will run with Toe In as the torque will straighten the wheels when the car is being pushed from the rear. The best tool to use for the job is .. Trackace Laser Wheel Alignment Tracker / Tracking Toe Gauge

[@Radfordperson]

Play in Mini steering, often caused by the clamp bolt loose in the splined joint at the base of the steering column.

[@thebluep0tat0]

I used clear tube inserted into the reservoir as you can then see the levels with no mess

[@classicminidiy]

But where’s the fun in not making a mess? 😂

[@thebluep0tat0]

Classic Mini DIY I only do that with beer. Was hoping to finally meet you at CMU last week since I’m just south of you in N Ga. :)

[@summerspop]

How in the heck do you get the U bolts back in? I have spent the last 2 hours trying to get them around the rack and into the holes with no luck. Ready to burn it down and collect the insurance 🤣🤣

[@classicminidiy]

Oh man, getting those U-Bolts back in is literally the hardest part. There is basically just one special angle that they will go back in and it takes a lot of prybaring, swearing, suffering, crying, and much more to get them in.

[@TheoXydias_PerlaCoffeeTrailer]

when i changed the steering rods (putting the longer for camber) i put the car on the ground, the right wheel was pointing straight the left one was looking to the right so it was like this o.O hahaha. nice video mate

[@jrblocks1]

Its called a "pinnion shaft" as in rack & pinnion

[@mrennick]

I’m surprised that no one has come up with a better support system for use with Minis when you want to get under them. Your use of ramps is clever, but probably not ideal.

[@classicminidiy]

Yeah the ramps were....ok but I cant say I was a huge fan of it if I'm honest. I would have preferred a quick jack or something that more evenly spread the weight on the body.

[@sergiovazquez5357]

Hello, from Mexico city, change the gear lever of the mini, but now they are hard and the 1st enters with great difficulty. And the 2nd, does not enter! Do you have any video where you guide me in the change and adjustment or calibration? Thank you. Good luck

[@theondebray]

Oh no, please replace the track rod ends, or at least the rubber boots! Vehicle test fail point in the UK (although no test required if its 40+ years old).

[@classicminidiy]

I didn’t have any in stock when I did this video due to mail delays but they got replaced after the filming. Definitely always worth changing when you do the rack. Refresh everything.

[@jakeminassian2692]

Do have to fill it up with gear oil? I thought they come pre-greased from the manufacturer.

[@classicminidiy]

Please see my pinned comment: AMENDMENT JAN 2021: It appears that the racks no longer (or possibly never needed) to be oiled before installation. They only require oil in the event that you have replaced the gaitors and they lost oil. I think its still important to verify the oil level on the racks before installation but after verification, they are oiled you should be good to install!

[@jakeminassian2692]

@@classicminidiy I saw it after I posted the question thanks again for the reply, my project coming along pretty good pictures to come soon!!!

[@dilukasenadeera827]

can i add gear oil to the rack without taking it out of the car? kindly need your advice. feel that the steering wheel is too tight. thank you

[@classicminidiy]

Yes you can, there is a small hole in the mini floor, sealed with a rubber grommet. This can be removed, and then the fill cap can be removed. Providing you access to the fill hole.

[@wummi]

12:20 thanks so much for telling me about the bolt coming out. i was sweating balls and questioning my sanity because it wouldnt come off :D :D

[@classicminidiy]

Hahaha I am so glad I saved you some headache! The first time I did it, I spent a lot of time and energy on that bolt lol

[@metalwright]

"ended up driving a Moke" I mean, worse things have happened... Love Mokes.

[@classicminidiy]

Yeah, I said "ended up" like it was a bad thing.... As if I wasn't incredibly excited about driving it all weekend hahaha

[@metalwright]

@@classicminidiy true fact: my 12 year old got his first lesson in driving in my Moke yesterday!! I just got my block back from the machine shop, so perhaps it is a LITTLE early to trash the clutch that's in there... but hey, he was happy!

[@darryl3392]

Over 40 years of production and the one thing the BMC and Rover mini never thought to improve was the steering rack 🤔. One thing I will say is converting electric power steering for a modern car like in my case a Suzuki Ignis makes 13x7’s so much more enjoyable to live with

[@classicminidiy]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it I guess? lol I know there is a fella that does electric power steering for the minis but I don't know that I really would want it.

[@darryl3392]

I wouldn’t have it on my 66 Deluxe with 10x6 wheels no point on a standard mini. But it’s worth it with my Vtec mini with 13x7’s when stationary you can use your pinky however the real benefit is it helps fight the torque steer and doesn’t rip the wheel from your hands. I don’t know what’s in the box of smarts for the electric steering torque sensor on the Suzuki ignis column buts it works a treat

[@donnlee]

High-quality video! Where did you buy the lever tool at 15:11 that breaks the tie rod end's taper joint from the arm please? So far I've found a "ball joint separator" sold at H. Freight

[@classicminidiy]

Thank you! It's basically this one. amzn.to/37p08Rf I actually don't remember where I bought mine, maybe advance auto? I have had it for so long.

[@tonysiebs3426]

Hi Cole what's up can u please tell me part number for the steering rack I would really appreciate it thanks 🙋

[@classicminidiy]

Heres the links to both the LHD and the RHD racks ❱❱ LHD - cmdiy.co/LHDSteering ❱❱ RHD - cmdiy.co/RHDSteering

[@tonysiebs3426]

Thanks Cole I really appreciate that 😊

[@tonysiebs3426]

You're always a big help to us mini guys 👍

[@andywhitelaw6957]

😂😂😂😂 where is the water getting in, that’s a can of worms. Where to start ahahhahaha!

[@lixstixx]

No rubber boots on the rack ends !!!! 😎

[@classicminidiy]

I know they were rough in this video but we’re out of stock everywhere when I filmed this. 😭 they have since been replaced.

[@reinier1234]

Ty for this vid

[@minisareus]

Did you fit a MK1 or later rack

[@classicminidiy]

Later rack as mk1 racks are no longer produced to my knowledge. When fitting the later rack you will need the later steering tie rod hub connectors so that is something worth thinking about.

[@davehalst]

Hi Cole, Great video. Question; Why is your indicator (turn light?) wand on the left of the steering column? Is that a US requirement? My 1966 Mk1 Mini 850 had it on the right.

[@classicminidiy]

It was a left hand drive car originally so maybe that has something to do with it. I just left it where it was when I moved the wheel. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ haha

[@pj4534]

You went through all that work and put rotten old worn out tie-rod ends back on??

[@bonobo8680]

Please disasemble it to see what's wrong inside it, thanks :-)

[@classicminidiy]

Good idea! I'll do that in a deeper dive video in the future.

[@bonobo8680]

@@classicminidiy did the new steering rack fixed your problem ?

[@Radfordperson]

Easy way of getting oil in the steering rack, jack up one side at the front,support safely, remove a steering rack boot clip, put oil in pump oil can, push nozzle of oil can though rack boot and pump oil. Replace boot clip.

[@teabelly1565]

Spot on! I have a 1963 Mk 1 mini which I've owned to this day. Back in the day the official BMC workshop manual specified this method of filling rack with oil following installation, in fact there was no other way provided in the early days of production. To quote from the manual - "Inject no more than 1/3rd pint (.44 US pint Extreme pressure S.A.E. 140 oil, reconnect gaiter and move the rack from side to side to distribute oil throughout housing" I may be wrong but the video mentioned filling the rack to overflow level?

[@franktaylor7617]

😎👍

[@geoffchipperson4202]

nice flip flops, hopefully you wont learn the hardway

[@classicminidiy]

The correct term is safety sandals 🙃

[@Goten986]

Hi ,nice video But I don't get it why use oil instead of grease? I'm currently rebuilding my steering and there is so seal on either side to hold the oil in. further more the oil filling hole is before the inner bush, so from my understanding the oil will fill the boots rather than the rack?!?