Tazio Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 Just been out for my first 10 mile shakedown drive in my fully rebuilt BDR, it's a 1990 car with the 'classic' front suspension, narrow track, trunnions etc. Aside from a couple of issues the car works, (lovely and loud too), but a general observation is the steering is quite heavy. As I did very little mileage before I stripped the car, I am not sure what to expect, so the question is, is this normal? The car has been set up by Northampton Motorsport..I have another 7, a widetrack, VX engined car, and the weight of the steering for that car is by comparison, light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted April 1, 2019 Member Share Posted April 1, 2019 Any stiffness in the steering when the front is jacked up?How do the two cars compare otherwise: diameter of steering wheel, width of tyres, weight on wheels, rack ratio, front geometry?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted April 1, 2019 Author Share Posted April 1, 2019 The rack has been rebuilt, and its stiff with weight off, wheel sizes are 13s on both 165s on BD, 185s on VX, 11 inch steering wheels. So can the ' weight' of rack be slackened off?....I feel a search is in order lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 Yes ... there is a preload screw on top of the steering rack where the column enters. Great big lock nut around a big grub screw with a small hex socket in it. Raise front of car and loosen lock nut (35mm ??) ... then adjust centre screw and see how steering feels lock to lock. Tighten lock nut when done but hold screw while doing so. Check rack from lock to lock again after you have finished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted April 1, 2019 Author Share Posted April 1, 2019 Thanks SM, been reading the old stiff rack threads, everything on the front suspension is new so it could be something downstream from the rack, track rod ends etc...I'll do some disconnecting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 At your age I wouldnt complain about things being stiff! :-0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted April 1, 2019 Author Share Posted April 1, 2019 I know, never pass a toilet without using it, and never waste an erection.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 You can check the rack as follows 1 The ball joints at the ends of the steering arms could be over tightened Upon reassembly the two joints should be tightened to a point where a load of 3 to 4 Kg, applied 152mm down the track control arm from the centre of the ball in the joint (ie right near the end), is required to move it 2 The Thrust pad nut referred to by M25 above could be too tight Upon reassembly the Rack Bar Thrust Pad should be adjusted to give a preload that allows a horizontaly mounted rack to be pulled along its entire length by a force of 50 - 70 N. This from Elise information on their Titan supplied rack which is essentially the same as the Caterham rack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted April 1, 2019 Author Share Posted April 1, 2019 Food for thought Roger... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 Have you lubed the trunnions..?UJ rack to coloumn ?I'd pop the TRE's out and see whats whatsand consider popping the steering boot off the see if the rack is dry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 As the rack has been rebuilt ... hope it was lubricated on reassembly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted April 1, 2019 Author Share Posted April 1, 2019 I'll pop the TREs off first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted April 2, 2019 Author Share Posted April 2, 2019 Well it is definitely the track rod ends, anyone know how to loosen them up or is it simply a case of vigourous wiggling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Geoff Brown Posted April 2, 2019 Area Representative Share Posted April 2, 2019 You should be able to loosen the locknut on the TEs without the taper rotating. If not tap the top with a rubber or plastic hammer.Re torque to 34Nm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted April 2, 2019 Author Share Posted April 2, 2019 Sorry Geoff, hadn't made myself clear, I had broken the taper and disconnected the TREs from the steering arms, the joints themselves were as stiff as stiff could be and needed 10 mins of increasingly vigorous wiggling, before they would finally move sufficiently to be reconnected.Seems to have significantly reduced the heavyness., Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 Are these new TRE. When they wear, they get slack. I found with new ones, they feel too tight to be of any use when just working them with your hands, but when on the car they are fine. Seems strange that they need to be loosened up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted April 2, 2019 Author Share Posted April 2, 2019 SM, yes they were new, just worked them until they felt loosened off, and bobs your uncle, sorted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 Good old Uncle Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 Hi Alan, I had a similar issue when I replaced my TREs last MOT time. Steering felt heavy and didn't seem to want to self-centre accurately. Sounds like you've already fixed yours by waggling them but mine very quickly loosened up in normal use and are fine now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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