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MG TD TF 1500 - MGTD steering rack leaks

Hello everybody
There is always a drop under the bottom lid. It seems to be a bottom bearing for the shaft as well.
But the drawings do not show any gasket between the rack and the lid.Is it only the flat and smooth surfaces that prevent from leaking oil ?
Shall I add a few sealing compound ?

Laurent.

LC Laurent31

Laurent, I had the same problem. My leak was from the bearing cap (tail bearing) as well. I tried everything I could think of to stop the leak including various sealers. I got so frustrated that I bought a new rack. There are shims that go under the bearing cap to adjust free play. I thought they were causing the leak but I had the same problem with or without the shims. My rack was missing the seal that goes on the rack above the gear. I bought the new rack before I installed it. I'll eventually put it in and see if it has any effect on the leak.

Tim
TW Burchfield

Laurent,
I have the same issue and was thinking of some kind of sealant- if you try one and it works ,please post with results.
JB
JK Barter

So here are the results : good.
I smeared a very very thin layer of sealing compound on both sides of each shim (cleaned before with acetone).
And it works : 100 miles : not even a drop on that bottom cap.

But I still have a leak coming from the upper seal of the drive shaft.
Can I change it without taking the rack off the car ?

Laurent.

LC Laurent31

Perhaps you are overfilling if it is leaking out of the top of the box/shaft? Pretty much no way possible unless a crack or porosity in the cap or box metal that it could leak if all surfaces/shims were flat/really cleaned, bolts/bolt holes as well, and sealed with something like Permatex aviation or blue silicone sealer. Some years back, I was very frustrated after spending countless hours without success trying to get all of my various TD leaks stopped. I had a long conversation with a well known restorer/Ferrari mechanic. His opinion was that anything that was designed so long ago was just going to leak, and it was pointless to try to stop them. Unfolded cardboard boxes have lived under my car ever since, and I just drive and enjoy. My frame/ center areas will never rust either. George
George Butz

If it is British and not leaking, check to see it it has any oil in there!
P G Gilvarry

Hei. a british car does not leak. thee car is
marking its'territory.
Thoralf Sorensen (TD4490)

Any one to answer the technical question ?
"Can I change it without taking the rack off the car ?"

Laurent.

LC Laurent31

This thread was discussed between 28/07/2016 and 04/10/2016

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