Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Steering Rack Mod ??

We own a '57 Plus 4 and the steering box has a tad of play.....Question is, can a rack and pinion set up be retro fitted? What rack is used etc??
Here's anticipating..

Tony, best sort out the "tad of play" first, have you tried adjusting it? If it has no more adjustment left or it is badly worn 'straight ahead' as is typical, then consider a rebuild by eg http://www.geeltd.co.uk/gee/

Fitting a rack & pinion means quite a bit of expense, Jack Knight is the manufacturer and can buy direct (maybe) or from Morgan/Dealer - it has to be a centre output rack of course.

Advice is really, sort out the box before considering major work to fit a rack - IMHO - PJB.

Tony, to answer your question directly, there are early Morgans that have been retrofitted with Racks. I saw several in Australia, and the folks there may be able to give you more details. This car was a early Plus 4 belonging to Craig Adkins (not sure if I spelled this correctly, sorry.) I want to say that the donor car was a Peugeot of some sort, perhaps a 304.

http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/galleries/186327#Post186327

Yes the 304 is a conventional rack with track rods on the ends as opposed to coming out of the centre but then what seems to be a strut between the ends back to the centre.

Better to start off with a centre output rack such as the std Jack Knight rack or consider a Honda Civic rack that is also centre output, don't know what MY Civic though, plenty on www. (In the good old days also Hillman Imp and Traction Avant!)

Otherwise go and find a Gemmer box as this will be better than the CamGears box or IMO better than a rack as it will have less bump steer and will self centre.

Or go for a one sided rack installation with a full width track rod - that's nice! https://sites.google.com/site/morganatica/70-modifications/one-sided-rack-photos

So many options after adjusting the CamGears box. PJB

I have adjusted the steering box and all appears to be fine.

Thanks for all the help,

Hi I too am seeking advice on lightening the steering on my 58 plus 4. Shoulder damage makes this necessary. Where can I source a Gemmer box? Cost of same? Is it a straight swap (mine is a straight column car)? Anyone have experience of Mulberry Engineerings roller bearing replacement? Thanks.

My Plus 8 has a steering rack, but I fitted Mulberry steering bearings and it made a VERY noticeable difference. Love them.

Mine is a 1966 +4 and last year I bought a Gemmer box which came from the factory. I don't know whether they are still available and can't remember the price.

When I come to fit it I shall use a TR7 upper column which I understand takes the Morgan boss. I still need to source a link/joint to mate the two together. The instructions/guidance are in the 'Morgan Bedside Reader' which is an excellent source of ideas and information for the older cars and which has been mentioned on here a few times.

http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php...ader#Post147008