PAS rack question

[Forkie]

Hi all. After a bit of searching, checking availability of parts
(or the lack of) for repair/ rebuild as may be required, and reading the 'ol workshop manual , do i detect correctly that any fault with our PAS rack leaves only one option - to purchase a whole reconditioned unit - and depending which supplier- just the rack, or rack plus the column as one unit. In other words, no other option. I assume it is quite an indepth job, hence the lack of available parts, other than shims / seal kits etc.

[johnnydog]

Although this one is obviously local to me, a company repairing your own rack rather than an exchange rack repaired 'cheaply' from one of the big Triumph suppliers would be my preferred option.
https://www.prestonpowersteering.co.uk/ ... U96BAghEA0

[johnfrancis898]

Hi Forkie
I fitted a new PAS rack to my 2500TC last year. The old one was the original (1976) and leaking badly. I considered having a go at refurbing it myself but when I looked into what was required it worked out cheaper and easier to exchange it for an already refurbished one. I ended up getting it from Chris Witor as I find him one of the most knowledgable and reliable suppliers available.
With regard to fitting it was quite straight forward. I was undergoing a complete front suspension overhaul at the time so as well fitting new shock absorber struts, I also done the hubs fitting new bearings, seals, ball joints and also renewed all rubber bushes with poly ones. I also refurbed the PAS pump. I found it easier to connect the hydraulic hoses to the rack and leave them slightly loose before fitting them to the pump as its easier to line them all up before tightening. Also line up and connect up the steering shaft and also leave loose before connecting the rack to the cross member.
I would also advise getting the front wheels as parallel as possible before fitting the track rod ends to the rack. After completion I popped along to my local tyre dealer and got him to do a complete check and adjustment on the front suspension geometry and it wasn’t far out. With regard to bleeding the hydraulic circuit, I followed the instructions in the manual and once the air was out of the system it was fine. It has transformed the car and the roadholding and performance is much better.
Hope this helps.
John.

[Forkie]

Hi John,
Thanks for the info on your swap. I have also undergone the same complete front end overhaul of all braking, suspension and bush overhaul, the only item that did not appear to warrant renewal was the rack - until i dropped it off a few months ago to my local guy for an odd brake issue and he informed me of ' slight play' on the OS. I have yet to investigate myself. I believe he had in his mind probably wear to the inner tie rod, an easy change - until i started looking into it a bit more. Very little would seem available other than shims and seals, although oddly enough Rimmers sell the cups for the Stag rack , but not listed for the 2000 range, even though the manual lists said cups in our racks....as the rack appears ok in other respects - no leaks etc and has covered less than 50k, changing the whole lot seems a tad extreme . I would as par for the course purchase what is required from CW.

[Roscoe]

If you can afford it might be an idea to convert to electric power steering I’m having my Pi done end of April
£1500 by easy steer in Chorley Lancashire. I’ve spent thousands on it so far so another £1500 won’t make much difference new cv driveshafts, reconditioned manual steering rack all new suspension bushes throughout, new rear shocks.new springs front and rear. New front struts, and various other bits and pieces.
Approximately £14,000 in total so must be one of the best PI’S in Gloucestershire can’t sell it now!

[Forkie]

Mmmm i get what you are saying, but to me converting to electric streering would be the same as my modern Passat- no feel, not the same, not as Triumph intended in 1975. Whilst i take onboard your opinion, i would rather, for now anyways try to resume 1975 steering standards, only for my own reasoning - to try and keep the car as per factory, as much as possible anyway! I am the same as yourself - spent 3 x what the car is worth, but hey ho, what do you do!!!!!