Rack question

[Gentle Ben]

I hear some of you bring up the subject of steering rack 'rubbers' so I'm asking to what it is you refer.

I ask because I seem unable to tighten up the bolts that hold the two rack mounting brackets to the subframe. I get so far with the spanner and then it just goes tight and the brackets are still loose, save for a 1-2mm gap between the bracket and the subframe.

Just made me wonder if there are meant to be rubbers behind each bracket?

Ta.

[Wicked Neo]

The U shaped brackets? there should be a rubber bush that goes around the rack which go under the U shaped bracket.

Neal mentions them in his black hatch project report.

[Gentle Ben]

No, I've got the rubbers which wrap around the rack itself... I just can't tighten the metal brackets to the subframe... the bolts go round nicely and then go solid, but the brackets are still loose and there's a small 1-2mm gap between the bracket and subframe.

[Gentle Ben]

If anyone can put up an exploded view of the rack assembly off Dialogies or something that would be a great help

[Wicked Neo]

Hmmm, Mine went on no problems, got a brand new pas rack on a new subframe, I assume you have used washers? the two long bolts with two washers each (one at nut end and other at bolt end)

[Gentle Ben]

Not sure what you mean, my rack clamps have the thread built in them? The long bolts come from behind, through the subframe and straight into the rear of the clamps... unless of course I'm doing it wrong or somehow using the wrong bolts? I'll get some pictures when I get chance, will probably make it easier to see the problem I'm having.

[Wicked Neo]

there are 4 bolts, two long and two short, the long ones are on the bottom of the subframe and go from behind the subframe and into it exiting out the other side of the rack and have nuts on them, the two shorter ones bolt into the rack itself

[Wicked Neo]

right this may help you (just grabbed my subframe and rack lol)



The long bolts



which go into the subframe like this

now you can see in the next pic, the rack with rubbers under the clamps and the top holes on the clamps already bolted together slide the rack onto the two bottom bolts





See? then the two short bolts go from the back of the subframe and straight into the threaded part of the rack clamps.

[The T.I.B.]

4 clear pictures with step-by-step instructions same day.

I think this is what PFC refer to as Technical Expertise

[Gentle Ben]

That's great Si, thanks a lot.

I think I'm gonna dismantle the lot and start again, I know I'm missing a couple of bolts then. God knows where they are... hopefully in my little pot of spare bolts I've had since I started taking the engine out 2 years ago lol!

[psgold67]

Originally Posted by Wicked Neo

right this may help you (just grabbed my subframe and rack lol)

Retro-Renault disclaimer

these pictures are for guide purposes only

actual colours may vary - signifcantly

[Peter T]

Very good clear pic's. Will help me when I do mine.

[Neal]

My First Subframe (tm) from Fisher Price