Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Steering Arms Movement

I’m at Loton Park Hillclimb and ready to race today. When the scruitineer checked my car he pulled on each of the steering arms to check for any movement. There was a slight movement in the nearside steering arm. The offside arm was fine.

We pulled off the steering gaiter to have a look at the knuckle joint. All looked ok and upon further pulling of the steering arm the scruitineer thought that the movement may be within the steering rack. The scruitineer is ok with me racing this weekend, but it needs sorting for the next event.

The knuckle joint could be sorted with a shim washer, but the rack could be a more serious task

Has anyone on here had a similar issue?

Yes I've got exactly the same issue, its going to be looked at when the car has its first service, would ideally like a new rack!
I recently asked the same question and others have got the same problem.
http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/583001/steering-rack-knocking-noise#Post583001

Thanks Obie 👍

I’ll have a chat with the scruitineer

I would have thought that if there was play in the rack you would see it on both sides.

There is adjustment in the rack. Underneath the splined pinion which the steering column is attached to there is an adjustment screw unfortunately it is locked in place with both a large locknut and a tab washer. I can't see there is enough room to adjust this without taking the rack out.

The play that I and others have in the rack seems to be only in the LH side (on RH drive cars) and is apparent when you pull vertically on the steering arm. I think the play is in the internal rack support bush. Adjusting the pinion engagement won't make a lot of difference to this, I would say but I have no experience of rack and pinion adjustments and could be wrong?

There doesn't seem to be any free play or backlash. It has been the same for the last 3 years and maybe before that as well, it gets no worse or better. I plan to try and find a steering rack specialist over the winter and see if there is anything that can be done as I don't have the warranty route option and I am guessing a new or exchange rack is not cheap.

That sounds much more plausible, and if is the case then adjusting the rack won't make any difference. I have recently had my rack partially apart and there is only one support bush which is on the LH end of the rack housing on RH drive cars, the RH end is supported by the pinion and the rack adjuster screw.

Have just tried our rack/steering arms - LH side has small amount of vertical play at the rack end - no fore/aft play though - RH side is solid - there is no play in the steering when driving.

Conclusion per above is that bush @ left end of rack (on RH drive cars) is wearing with suspension movement - RH side must be better supported.

Will the bush be replaceable?

I have just replaced the LH bush, which was worn, but it has made no difference to the play. Despite c. a fifth of a turn of latitude, the tyres are wearing evenly.

Where did you get the LH internal support bush from and do you have any part numbers please M3W55? Easy enough job to do or not? I think the steering rack it a Quaife item and they are not very keen to supply any information about their Morgan products, at least not when you ask about the Bevel Gearbox.

My local garage, who are classic car specialists, did it - I will ask them for the reference. They are not known for under-charging, but from the bill it looked like no more than 90 minutes' work.

Any guess as to why (albeit a small sample of) RHD owners seem to be reporting play on the left side only?