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MG MGA - Steering rack restoration

Hi All,
I am reassembling my car and at a point of installing the steering rack. What should be replaced before I install it? The rack seals (boots) both need to be replaced, but I never drove the car before my restoration so I don't know how it steered. Should I replace the tie rod ends? Are there any seals or other bits that should be replaced simple because I have it out on the workbench? Thanks
Joe Holtslag

Joe, it all depends on the inspection results.
If the tie rod joints have no slack, then no need to replace.
Same for the rack. You can adjust shims at the pimion if necessary.
Art Pearse

Clean it out well; most likely there is old grease (wrong) in it. Re-fill with 90w oil. I think Art means the inner ball-joints (in side end of tie-rod),
David Werblow

Don't rush to dismantle or change anything inside the rack unless required. The original racks will go for ever if they have been looked after. My current one has probably done around 200k miles and is still perfect.
P M Dean

When I replaced the tie rod ends on my TD, the new ones were "sealed" (permanently lublicated--no grease fitting). Are the same things available for the MGA?
Joe Holtslag

Steering rack on my MGA has nearly 400,000 miles and still going strong. I replaced the outer tie rod ends once at 260,000 miles (they had grease fittings), and adjusted the inner tie rod ball joints once around 320,000 miles miles. I'm sure I adjusted the damper shims once, and may have replaced the brass damper pieces. You can do all of this without removing it from the chassis.
Barney Gaylord

This thread was discussed between 22/09/2012 and 23/09/2012

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