THE
STEERING
J
of
the car.
When
this angle is correct
the
distance between
the
front
of
the
wheelswill
be
1\-
in. (1'6mm.). greater
than
that
at
the
rear
(see Fig. J.7).
When
measuring distances
rather
than
angles
the
measurements
must
be
made
on
a 141 in. (368,3 mm.)
diameter
on
the
side wall
of
the tyre
at
a distance
of9·4
in.
(239 mm.) above
the
ground.
If
a base-bar alignment gauge is used,
take
two
measurements;
take
a measurement
at
the
front,
mark
the
point
on
the
tyres with chalk,
push
the
car
forward
half
a
road
wheel revolution
and
take
the second measurement
at
the
same points
on
the
tyres
and
behind
the
centres.
With
an
optical gauge,
take
two
readings with
the
car
moved forward 180
0
and
three with
it
moved forward
120°.
The
average figure should
then
be
calculated.
Adjustment (Early models)
To
adjust
the
track, slacken
the
tie-rod ball
joint
lock-
nuts
and
the
rubber
gaiter clips,
and
turn
each tie-rod
the
same
number
of
turns until
the
adjustment is correct.
The tie-rods
must
be exactly the same length.
MK. II
MODELS
The later steering-rack provides a smaller turning
circle
and
it
is vitally
important
that
the
wheel alignment
is checked,
and
adjusted
if
necessary, following the
correct procedure. Incorrect adjustment could result in
excess articulation
of
the
drive shaft constant velocity
joints,
and
subsequent fouling
of
the suspension tie-rods
by
the
road
wheels when
on
full lock. Checking
and
adjustment
must
only be carried
out
when
the
vehicle is
at
'kerbside' trim,
Le.
fully equipped
but
without occu-
pants
or
excess luggage.
Checking
(1) With the vehicle resting
on
its wheels,
turn
the
steering
on
each lock
and
check the clearance
between the
road
wheel
and
the
suspension tie-rod.
The minimum clearance should
not
be less
than
i in. (19 mm.),
or
with the suspension
at
full
rebound,
not
less
than
i in. (6,5 mm.).
Correct adjustment
on
each tie-rod will be indi-
cated by the clearance figures given above being
approximately
the
same
on
each side. Check the
wheel alignment with
an
optical gauge, see item (6).
Adjustment
(2) Slacken the
rack
tie-rod locknuts
and
the gaiter
clips. Disconnect the ball joints from the steering
levers, using Service tool
180
1063.
(3) Lift
the
floor covering
and
remove
the
rubber
grommet
from
the
floor panel (opposite side
to
the
rack pinion).
(4) Pull
out
the plastic plug from
the
rack
body
and
insert a locator pin,
Le.
i in. (6 mm.) diameter bolt
into
the hole (see Fig.
J.l).
J.6
(5) Centralize the rack until
the
locator
pin
fully
engages with the rack,
to
lock
the
centralized
assembly.
(6) Use
an
optical setting gauge
and
align
the
road
wheels
to
the straight-ahead position, Le.
1\-
in.
(1'6 mm.) toe out,
and
in alignment with
the
centre
line
of
the
car.
(7) Adjust the tie-rods until each ball
pin
will correctly
locate its steering lever without disturbing
the
alignment given
in
item (6),
and
secure
in
position.
(8) Recheck the setting
and
adjust equally each tie-rod
until the setting is obtained
and
tighten
the
lock-
nuts. Ensure
that
the
rubber
gaiters
are
not
under
stress from twist
and
tighten
the
securing clips.
(9) Remove the locator pin
and
refit
the
plastic plug.
(10) Recheck
the
adjustment as detailed
in
item (1).
(11) Refit
the
floor grommet
and
covering.
NOTE.-
The hole in the
rack
from which the
plastic plug was removed
MUST
NOT
be utilized
for the purpose
of
'topping
up'
with lubricant.
Section
J.5
STEERING
RACK LUBRICATION
Lubricating nipples are
not
provided
and
rack
lubrica-
tion
is only necessary
if
leakage is evident
from
the
rack
housing
or
the
rubber
gaiters.
The
following procedure should
be
followed provided
the
leakage
can
be rectified without
the
assembly being
removed.
(1) Centralize the steering rack.
(2) Remove
the
gaiter retaining clip
on
the driver's
side.
(3) Inject
t
pint
(,2 litre)
of
E.P. S.A.E. 90 oil into the
rubber
gaiter.
(4) Refit
the
gaiter clip
and
turn
the steering
from
side
to
side
to
distribute the oil
through
the
housing.
WARNING.-If
the vehicle is hoisted with its front
wheels clear
of
the ground care should be taken
to
avoid
forceful movement
of
the wheels from lock to lock, other-
wise damage may occur within the steering mechanism.
Section
J.6
NYLON TIE-ROD BALL ENDS
Later
ball
joints
have nylon seats sealed
for
life
and
protected by
rubber
boots;
no
lubrication is required.
The
rubber
boots
must
be maintained
in
good
con-
dition,
and
if
it
is found
that
a
boot
has
become damaged
in
service
both
boot
and
joint
must
be
renewed. However,
if
a
boot
is damaged
in
the
workshop
during the removal
of
a
joint
which
has
therefore
not
become contaminated
by
road
dirt,
the
boot
alone
may
be
renewed.
Before fitting a new
boot
smear the
area
adjacent
to
the
joint
with a little Dextragrease Super G.P. lubricant.
MINI. Issue 2. 9764
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mk1-performance-conversions.co.uk
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