Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Plus 4 Steering rack gaiter

Apologies if this has been covered but I seem to have conflicting opinions. I had the Jack Knight gaiter replaced today and note that the steering wheel is very slightly off centre. Now here is the question. Having read lots of details from Gomog, it recommends alignment after the replacement, but that seems crazy to me. On here there are suggestions that the rack itself may have moved a fraction which affects the steering.

I have seen suggestions about loosening the centre bolts and sliding the rack in the appropriate direction. If it is that simple why would I get tracing checked? Although I had had Morgans prior to 1989 this is again all new to me. I am keen to get hands dirty so if it is as simple as suggested here I will give it a go. Incidentally the garage greased everything for me and commented that the car was like new underneath.

I am planning to buy a scissor lift to make things easier! Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Yes sounds likes the rack has moved a tad when it was loosened to fit gaiter Robin. It's an opportunity to check the steering on full lock each side to equalise and ensure wheels don't touch bodywork, then adjust tracking (toe in) before finally centralising steering wheel on splines.

However if you were previously happy with all these parameters then a nudge after loosening rack clamps alone should allow steering wheel to be centralised before re-tightening. Often you can see tell tale marks to show where it was originally clamped.

Regarding lifts I've been very happy with this relatively inexpensive Automotech AS-7630 hydraulic scissor lift, with electro-magnetic safety release, over previous five years.



At least one other TM'r and probably several more use them as well.

Thanks Richard.

strathavan, If those who changed your gaiter, and the Jack knight requires that the rack is removed as the gator is a one piece affair, didn't change the track rod length ie. refitted them exactly as removed which is not hard as you don't need to loosen the lock nuts at either end.

So your thoughts that loosening the rack mounting blocks and repositioning the rack to centralise the steering wheel is correct, assuming the steering was centralised in the first place. I think Richard was saying that It might be an opportunity to fully check the steering alignment which is an unknown at the moment. This will achieve several things in that you will see how the car drives when the geometry is set as it should be, you might be very surprised how well a fully aligned mog will drive, the feedback weight through the wheel and a more relaxed drive for the driver is usually felt. Tyre wear on such a light car is often not a good indicator of bad tracking unless radically out of line or used very regularly. And lastly I would have expected the fitter to have retracted the car if he changed steering rack track rod length and charged for it!