Another steering rack question

I am rebuilding my complete front suspension and brakes - all mechanical and rubber components.

When my steering rack is not bolted down to the crossmember, and not attached to the steering arms, I can grab a tie rod end, and easily move the rack back and forth, or spin the steering wheel easily. When I bolt the rack to the cross member, but not attaching it to the steering arms, I can no longer do this at all, but I can move the steering wheel left to right easily, but it no longer spins. I can also move the rack by turning the steering shaft in the engine compartment, but I can't grab the tie rod end and move the rack back and forth.

Is this the way it should be? Should the steering get tighter when the rack is bolted to the cross member? There is no binding that I can sense, just a general "tightening up" of the steering. I don't have the front axles or wheels installed to try it that way (by moving the tires sideways).

Thanks for all advice.

No.

Disconnect the steering column and the tie rod ends and place the rack on it mounting surfaces on the crossmemeber. All four bolt bosses should sit flat AND SQUARE on the X member surfaces. If you find the one or more left high and dry select some flat washers that will take up the space as closely as possible and install the four mounting bolts using them. Snug the bolts and nuts down evenly and test the smoothness of the rack bar operation as you work through the tightening squence. If you begin to encounter increased resistance to the running back and forth of the rack bar as you tighten things stop and insert a shim in the offending fastener. The idea of course is to eliminate any stress caused by the rack tube being bent by mis-aligned seating as it is being drawn down. Once a correct position is identified you can remove the rack and re-connect the steering column bits and then make your tie rod end connections.

Jack

Thanks, Jack.

Much appreciated. While I have the rack off the car, I will also have to replace the shaft seal that apparently is leaking.

There's always something...

To expand Jack's instructions, there are some instructions on how to align the steering rack and the column on page 212 of the Haynes MGB manual. Packing washers under the column can also be selected to reposition the column shaft. In place of the special alignment tool some people use some pointers made from coat hanger wire.

Clifton

Much appreciated, Clifton.

Thanks