At the MoT Dave, the steering is checked on swivels, so you don't get the static load you are getting at home.
SimonH uses aluminium pads with grease between, and I'm seriously thinking about getting some for the garage.
DaveW, Another possibility for the amount of clearance movement between the support tube and the rack body is that lubrication has moved away from the central support tube upper area and the upper rack main body, allowing more clearance to give mechanical noise.. According to GoMog the rack is filled with a semi fluid grease, which sounds similar to the semi fluid grease used in early 30's motorcycle gearboxes. I cant find any reference to the amount of grease placed into the rack on assembly, or where to easily refill it. Logically this should be able to be undertaken if say, a steering rack gaiter failed and leaked out the lube.
dave
