AMENDMENT JAN 2021: It appears that the racks no longer (or possibly never needed) to be oiled before installation. They only require oil in the event that you have replaced the gaitors and they lost oil. I think its still important to verify the oil level on the racks before installation but after verification, they are oiled you should be good to install!
Thanks man. That’s the third time I’ve done it now and somehow it never gets easier. 😂 I ran into a dude from Toronto that said he drove his mini the 50 hours to your shop in BC. So epic! Jeff Mayer if you remember. Makes me wanna take a road trip...
It's worth noting that on later cars a semi-fluid grease is specified instead of oil, this was done so that in the (very common) event of steering rack gaiter failure all the lubrication does not end up on the floor.
Fair play, that's an excellent video, really clear, very detailed description of what you are doing and why. My rack needs replacing (1972 mini), however watching your video makes realise I have made the right decision in booking it in with local garage where the mechanic has worked on mini's for over 20 years. When he told me what was involved he mentioned all the 'you may need to do this' things you included. I'm afraid this job is beyond my abilities, well done!
Hi Paul. I am using my wife's facebook. I would like to know how long it took your mechanic to replace the steering rack on your Mini. The reason I ask is that I need to have it done too. I would appreciate a quick answer if possible as I must do it soon.. Thank you for your help. Regards. Joe By the way I am writing from Denmark.
@@janetashkenazy7443 It's difficult to know precisely as they did it over a couple of days, but i seem to remember it taking around 6 - 8 hrs.some of the time was spent having to make adjustments to the steering column/wheel as the bit where the column is locked into the rack didn't align correctly - to prevent this I'd spend the extra £25 for an OEM steering rack. hope this helps. Thanks
Also another tip - for removing the steering wheel off the column...after removing the large lock but, make two fists at 9 and 3 o’clock position...put on some Rush YYZ (or any hard rock band)...and play the drums for about 30 seconds (eventually lightly beating the top of your steering wheel). Works every time!
when i changed the steering rods (putting the longer for camber) i put the car on the ground, the right wheel was pointing straight the left one was looking to the right so it was like this o.O hahaha. nice video mate
Great video,had my done a few years ago.One problem I had was the guy that put mine in set the turn signal on the right side of wheel.I tried to move the stalk over to the left side,but it wont cancel when you turn the wheel straight.also the horn doesn't work all the time.
How in the heck do you get the U bolts back in? I have spent the last 2 hours trying to get them around the rack and into the holes with no luck. Ready to burn it down and collect the insurance 🤣🤣
Oh man, getting those U-Bolts back in is literally the hardest part. There is basically just one special angle that they will go back in and it takes a lot of prybaring, swearing, suffering, crying, and much more to get them in.
Hello, from Mexico city, change the gear lever of the mini, but now they are hard and the 1st enters with great difficulty. And the 2nd, does not enter! Do you have any video where you guide me in the change and adjustment or calibration? Thank you. Good luck
Please see my pinned comment: AMENDMENT JAN 2021: It appears that the racks no longer (or possibly never needed) to be oiled before installation. They only require oil in the event that you have replaced the gaitors and they lost oil. I think its still important to verify the oil level on the racks before installation but after verification, they are oiled you should be good to install!
Yes you can, there is a small hole in the mini floor, sealed with a rubber grommet. This can be removed, and then the fill cap can be removed. Providing you access to the fill hole.
High-quality video! Where did you buy the lever tool at 15:11 that breaks the tie rod end's taper joint from the arm please? So far I've found a "ball joint separator" sold at H. Freight
I’m surprised that no one has come up with a better support system for use with Minis when you want to get under them. Your use of ramps is clever, but probably not ideal.
Yeah the ramps were....ok but I cant say I was a huge fan of it if I'm honest. I would have preferred a quick jack or something that more evenly spread the weight on the body.
The alignment on a classic min should be at 23 minutes Toe Out. Front Wheel Drive cars run with Toe Out as torque will pull the wheels straight when pulling the car. Rear Wheel Drive cars will run with Toe In as the torque will straighten the wheels when the car is being pushed from the rear. The best tool to use for the job is .. Trackace Laser Wheel Alignment Tracker / Tracking Toe Gauge
Oh no, please replace the track rod ends, or at least the rubber boots! Vehicle test fail point in the UK (although no test required if its 40+ years old).
I didn’t have any in stock when I did this video due to mail delays but they got replaced after the filming. Definitely always worth changing when you do the rack. Refresh everything.
@@classicminidiy true fact: my 12 year old got his first lesson in driving in my Moke yesterday!! I just got my block back from the machine shop, so perhaps it is a LITTLE early to trash the clutch that's in there... but hey, he was happy!
Hi Cole, Great video. Question; Why is your indicator (turn light?) wand on the left of the steering column? Is that a US requirement? My 1966 Mk1 Mini 850 had it on the right.
Later rack as mk1 racks are no longer produced to my knowledge. When fitting the later rack you will need the later steering tie rod hub connectors so that is something worth thinking about.
Over 40 years of production and the one thing the BMC and Rover mini never thought to improve was the steering rack 🤔. One thing I will say is converting electric power steering for a modern car like in my case a Suzuki Ignis makes 13x7’s so much more enjoyable to live with
If it ain't broke, don't fix it I guess? lol I know there is a fella that does electric power steering for the minis but I don't know that I really would want it.
I wouldn’t have it on my 66 Deluxe with 10x6 wheels no point on a standard mini. But it’s worth it with my Vtec mini with 13x7’s when stationary you can use your pinky however the real benefit is it helps fight the torque steer and doesn’t rip the wheel from your hands. I don’t know what’s in the box of smarts for the electric steering torque sensor on the Suzuki ignis column buts it works a treat
Easy way of getting oil in the steering rack, jack up one side at the front,support safely, remove a steering rack boot clip, put oil in pump oil can, push nozzle of oil can though rack boot and pump oil. Replace boot clip.
Hi ,nice video But I don't get it why use oil instead of grease? I'm currently rebuilding my steering and there is so seal on either side to hold the oil in. further more the oil filling hole is before the inner bush, so from my understanding the oil will fill the boots rather than the rack?!?