Tie rod inner ends on non PAS rack

[HFStuart]

The steering on my Spider has always suferred from bit of free movement before the steering loads up. Perhaps free movement isn't quite the right description more that it feels like it's taking up slack.

There's no play in the rack and the outer road ends are fine as are tyres, bearings and the rest of the wishbone / hub assembly. That leaves the bushes in the tie rod inner ends or the rack mountings. I suspect it's a combination of the two but I'm thinking of trying something different in the tie rods to see what happens.

Two options
1. Get hard(ish) PU bushes made up to suit together with stainless crush tubes
2. Fit spherical bearings

Does anyone have any thoughts and/or experience on this?

[WestonE]

Stuart

Please check the universal joints from steering colum (SP) to rack for play out of 4 I had 2 had excess play and this amplifies through the whole system. Other wise spot on with the bushes and tie rod inner ends. Of the 2 the tie rod inners are favorite as the rack mount tend to give a woolly feeling arround the centre position, but change both whilst in there. Are you sure the bolts are tight? I know that sounds simplistic but it is common.

Eric

[HFStuart]

Eric,

Thanks. Any thoughts on whether spehrical bearings would be too harsh? My guess is that with the rack being compliantly mounted they'd be OK.

Stuart

[WestonE]

Stuart

My instinct would be to solid mount the rack but keep some compliance in the track rod ends for pot hole jolts (the job of the damper really). On the PS cars 1 end of the rack is already solid mounted and on mine I can see the other end going that way as all the rubber sleeves I have are junk.

Eric

[HFStuart]

Food for thought - thanks.