MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Pinion slipped out of place, need help please

I posted an earlier thread regarding problems with oil leaks from the pinion end cover. While changing the gasket again today I removed the pinion end cover and the damper cover and yoke in anticipation that it would drain out the oil that was in there a little quicker and that I would be ready to replace with new oil when the job was done. Car was up on jack stands and I moved the drivers side wheel to get a better look and the pinion and bearing slid forward a couple of inches out of the rack housing. I can not get it repositioned and it feels as though I have very little steering at the wheel. Need advice on how to get this back in place. Any help would be truly appreciated.
JCH Hibbard

I'm assuming that you must have undone the U joint? In that case I can see how the shaft would come out of the rack if you moved a wheel. Replacing it "should" be just a matter of sliding it back in, but being aware that it will twist when you do that and so the notch won't line up with the where you need it to get it back in the U joint back. Then it's a matter of estimating how far out it is, then drop it out and back making allowance for how far you know it will twist.
Miles Banister

Did not undo the u joint Miles. Can't slide it back in. Have tried turning the wheel both left and right in hopes of it sliding back in place and will not.
JCH Hibbard

This sounds like it might require 2 people to straighten out. One to turn the road wheel, while the other feeds the pinion back into the rack. RAY
rjm RAY

So you think it can be feed back in place? I tried turning the road wheel myself and feeding it back in with no luck will not slide all the way back in.
JCH Hibbard

Hmm. Assuming that you didn't undo the rack mounting bolts, then that can't have moved. Since you didn't undo the U-joint either, then the shaft can't have slipped down. So, I think the only way it could have lengthened is that without the damper in position the rack itself moved upwards and the pinion slipped out of mesh - then when it relaxed the shaft changed its angle at the U joint. It might go back in if you can exactly reverse the sequence, but I think I'd be tempted to undo the U-joint so the shaft is free, then feed it back in the way I suggested before. That way there won't be any forces at work except the gentle ones you apply when feeding it back in.
Miles Banister

I don't know what year car it is, but if it is one with a collapsible steering column, could the inner column slide out with the U-joint?

Charley
C R Huff

It is a 77b. Miles what you suggest makes a great deal of sense. Would it be wise to put the damper back in position and undo the U joint or leave the damper out and undo the joint. I'm thinking leave it out....... and hopefully everything will meash back into place. This has got me ??????
JCH Hibbard

I think I'd do the same - leave the damper out. I think what must happen is that without the damper in place, when the two roadwheels are turned inwards then the inner rack flexes upwards, and that's probbaly when the pinion slipped out of mesh. It occurred to me that if you gently turn one or both of the wheels outwards then the rack might flex downwards and let the pinion slip back in. But if that doesn't work then I'd be tempted to sort it out with the shaft disengaged from the U joint.
Miles Banister

Thanks Miles can't get to it until this weekend but will let you know how it turns out.....hopefully sucessful.
JCH Hibbard

Leave the damper out, put the wheels on full lock to the right (the last 2 teeth on the rack have the top machined off)& the pinion will go back in.
Garth Bagnall

Leave the damper out, put the wheels on full lock to the right (the last 2 teeth on the rack have the top machined off)& the pinion will go back in. Altho with a LHD car it may be full left lock.
Garth Bagnall

Yes it's a LHD I will start on the left side. Hope to get to it Saturday..... here's hoping. Thanks for the help.
JCH Hibbard

JCH, looking forward to your results. I have a similar problem.
Steven 67GT

Here's where I'm at. Left hand drive put wheels on full lock to the right and was able to get the pinion back in place. Thinking it was great victory I replaced the yoke and damper cover but left off the pinion end cover because I still need to replace the seal which was the original problem to stop the oil leak. Turning the wheels back to full left the pinion again pushes forward. Went through this a couple of times with the same results. I can't believe that the pinion end cover is supposed to hold the pinion in place seems there would be to much pressure there. So that is where I'm at, I can get it back in place but can't keep it there what am I doing wrong and if I hadn't said thanks to all of you for your help then...Thanks for all the information.
JCH Hibbard

Ah good, if it's slipped back in then there's nothing much wrong. I haven't tried moving the rack with the end cover off, but I wouldn't be surprised if the shaft comes out because it is after all a screw thread and when you turn it it will be easier for it to move out (or maybe in if you turn in the other direction) than to move the rack. If you're replacing the shaft oil seal then you'll probably need to drop the shaft out to do it - either way I wouldn't replace the damper and top cover until the bottom cover is back on. Don't forget to use thread sealer on the bottom cover fixing screws! Good luck.
Miles Banister

Actually Miles I mispoke it's the pinion end cover gasket I'm replacing and not the oil seal. So you think the end cover holds the pinion in place once back together?
JCH Hibbard

Yes, I think it does. I don't recall any force being necessary to drop the shaft when I removed it to replace the top oil seal, so the bearing can't be very tightly fitted into the housing. I think that must mean it's the clamping force of the bottom cover that keeps it in place.
Miles Banister

Hurt my back so haven't gotten back to the project until a couple of days ago. Pinion back in place and the pinion end cover has sealed up nicely. Just noticed this morning there is still a leak somewhere and not from the end cover or boots. Must be from the threads holding the rack in place I will remove them and seal them and see what happens. Go figure.
JCH Hibbard

Can't see it being the mounting bolts unless the casting is cracked. I've had to change the boots on both mine in the past and found no oil to run out, although the interior was wet with oil. Refilled, and it all dripped out again. As well as the boots and pinion cover there is the top cover and its oil seal.
PaulH Solihull

This thread was discussed between 23/04/2011 and 30/05/2011

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB Technical BBS now