The rack is produced by Jack Knight Engineering (UK) (http://www.jackknight.co.uk/).
The following procedure should be used to adjust the steering rack. There is no specified torque setting for the adjustment locknut and the manufacturers specify that it should be tightened “sufficiently to lock the adjuster in place”.
1. Thoroughly clean the area around the adjustment assembly.
2. Remove the locknut, and remove and discard the lock washer.
3. If the rack has a significant mileage, unscrew the adjuster and remove it, together with the nylon follower and spring.
4. Check that the nylon follower is free to move within the bore of the adjuster, and that it is not damaged or worn. If it is, replace it.
5. Replace the nylon follower in the groove at the rear of the rack, followed by the spring and adjuster.
6. Gently screw in the adjuster until it bottoms as it makes contact with the rack, and then unscrew it ¼ turn.
7. Place a new lock washer over the adjuster, with the internal tongue engaged in the rebate on the side of the adjuster, and the concave side down.
8. Hold the lock washer and do up the locknut finger tight. Make sure that the adjuster does not move.
9. Bend the outer tab of the lock washer that is aligned with the gap at the front surface of the rack towards the rack housing, so that it that locks the adjuster to the rack body.
10. Tighten the locknut sufficiently to lock the adjuster
in place, and bend one of the tabs on the lock washer away from the rack
housing and over a flat on the nut.
| The approved lubricant (which is used in manufacture)
is BP Energrease FG 00-EP since it is a compatible with the application
and gaiter material. The specifications for the grease are defined
below.
BP Energrease FG 00-EP - Description Energrease FG 00-EP is a mineral-oil based, polymer-thickened, stable, semi-fluid gear grease. It contains an anti-oxidant additive and also a sulphur-phosphorous type EP (extreme pressure) additive. It has excellent shear stability, load-carrying ability and the coating characteristics that eliminate the risk of dry start-up. Application This grease has been satisfactorily used by many industries overseas and in South Africa in enclosed spur, bevel, helical and worm gearboxes. The operating temperature range is-10°Cto100°C. Advantages - Overcomes leakage of lubricant. - Suitable for a wide range of gearbox applications, irrespective of the attitude in which the gearbox is mounted - Eliminates dry start-up - Allows extended maintenance periods - Exhibits excellent shear stability, oxidation stability and load carrying ability - Reduces noise - Improves reliability |
N.B. Adjustment of the rack & pinion is a rare
procedure. Most racks are well set-up at the outset and will stay that
way for many years. Check other area for vibration first and the bolts
hlding the rack and those to the centre affixing plate. On the older cars,
there can be wear in the rack channel. This can be remachined and a spacers
made to fit. GoMoG Webmaster