BB1 Front Steering Rack

Post by **Vtecmec** » Wed Jun 17, 2020 2:13 pm

Hi all, as per the title please, my 4th gen front steering rack has a little play between the rack and pinion and I'd like a spare to refurb.

Cheers in advance.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Wed Jun 17, 2020 6:44 pm

Believe I have one... I will need to check. I definitely did have at least one on the shelf, but I also sold one. Can't remember if that was my only one or not...

Post by **Vtecmec** » Wed Jun 17, 2020 6:58 pm

Awesome if you do, I've been on wait (after they took the money) for a new one for over a month and they've just owned up that they have no stock.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Thu Jun 18, 2020 11:00 am

That's not amusing!

raymondhonda · Post by **raymondhonda** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 7:43 pm

I have a front steering rack ( from a right hand drive Prelude 4 gen ) , are you still looking for one ?

I can send to you pictures if you want

I had more Prelude right hand drive breaking Prelude

Kind regards, Raymond

Hagland-BB4 · Post by **Hagland-BB4** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:01 pm

can I ask what the play in the rack and pinion is doing to the car or what it is causing. Thanks

Post by **Vtecmec** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:42 pm

raymondhonda wrote: ↑
Tue Jun 30, 2020 7:43 pm
I have a front steering rack ( from a right hand drive Prelude 4 gen ) , are you still looking for one ?

I can send to you pictures if you want

I had more Prelude right hand drive breaking Prelude

Hi @raymondhonda yes I am still on the hunt. If you could drop me a few pics that would be great, also what would you want for it and where are you located?

Post by **Vtecmec** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:45 pm

Hagland-BB4 wrote: ↑
Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:01 pm
can I ask what the play in the rack and pinion is doing to the car or what it is causing. Thanks

If i grab the bottom of the column, below the u joint where it meets the top of the rack, I can feel play and knocking when I rotate it by hand. Slight wobble in the braking at lower speeds and an annoying vibration at 65+ getting progressively worse the faster you go.

Hagland-BB4 · Post by **Hagland-BB4** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:58 pm

ah OK thanks. I am experiencing a loose feeling in my steering.
When driving on uneven patchy roads the steering wheel goes mad.
Slight delay in turning the steering wheel to the wheels.
I feel unsafe driving at speeds round corners.

I have done
New inner tie rods
New track rod ends
Upper and lower ball joints with poly bushes
Drop links with poly bushes
4 wheel alignment.

Any thoughts??

Scott560 · Post by **Scott560** » Wed Jul 01, 2020 7:36 am

On the 5th gen , there is an adjustment bolt at the bottom of the rack, which you can use to adjust the meshing of the pinion to the rack.

Not sure if the 4th gens have it.

I think you need a special tool to loosen the locknut/ring, but you can probably get creative. Adjusting this takes out the play between the rack and the steering column. So if you can 'wiggle' the steering wheel and have 0 movement in the track rods, its probably this.

There is only so much adjustment mind, be careful as too much adjustment can lead to stiffer steering (EG, it might not centre, or might bind up at extremities). be sure to test/check thoroughly before venturing out.