RPatch Posted July 31, 2022 Share Posted July 31, 2022 Hi Having returned to the club after a few (several!) years' absence, I'm struggling to find old topics using the search function of the new forums so I'm hoping someone may be able to point me towards some useful information!Several years ago my rack developed play and I had it fully overhauled by Titan (around 2012). It's now developed a small amount of vertical play in the nearside rack bar/rack housing - ie NOT the track rod inner joint.I contacted Titan who advised that the first overhaul should never have happened - and they do not / aren't allowed to overhaul Caterham racks - but they could supply individual parts but cannot advise any tech specs eg torques for reassembly of the rack. Caterham also won't entertain having the rack returned to them for them to have Titan rebuild it - leaving the only option being a £700 new rack! I read somewhere that the design of the rack is very similar to the Elise rack - for which an overhaul manual does exist. Would anyone happen to have a copy of the Elise manual, or have any instructions/specs for stripping and rebuilding the Caterham rack, specifically around disassembly and reassembly to replace whatever bush is supporting the rack bar on the nearside?Thanks, Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted July 31, 2022 Member Share Posted July 31, 2022 Welcome back.I have the Elise service manual. Please send me a Private Message with your email address.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted July 31, 2022 Member Share Posted July 31, 2022 Here's the discussion of alternative search methods, including my recommendation: "Search facility".This returns: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=site:caterhamlotus7.club+steering+rack+play.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amos91 Posted July 31, 2022 Share Posted July 31, 2022 I did this rebuild as it's the plastic sleeve that starts to have a bit of play. Mine was solid for a few hundred miles and then came back. Also checked the Caterham demo cars including the new 420 Cup and that has a bit of play as well.Overall, I personally wouldn't bother rebuilding it and just chalk it up as normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 Chat to the racing teams, DPR or McMillan Motorsport, see what they do for steering rack bits, or approach some steering rack reconditioners. I used a company in Birmingham, ICS, there's another Kiley Clinton who are also very approachable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_Arundel Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 Mines been `baggy` for 10 years but never failed MOT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 2, 2022 Member Share Posted August 2, 2022 The Elise service manual didn't contain as much information as I thought. I think that there's another document with an exploded diagram but I can't find it. Anyone?SELOC: "Replace the steering rack", includes notes on reconditioning.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 2, 2022 Member Share Posted August 2, 2022 Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amos91 Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 Its a bit hidden within the Wiki page, but some images here of the Elise rack too.Here And the rebuild kit you need -HereTo note, the Elise rack uses equal sized rack rubber boots / gaitors and the Caterham rack does not. So if you want to replace them you'll need an additional separate set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPatch Posted August 3, 2022 Author Share Posted August 3, 2022 Do you mean that the Elise kit fits a caterham rack? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amos91 Posted August 3, 2022 Share Posted August 3, 2022 Yes, apart from one rubber rack gaitor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted August 3, 2022 Share Posted August 3, 2022 Where do you get that from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amos91 Posted August 3, 2022 Share Posted August 3, 2022 Borg & beck BSG3033 for the gaitors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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