Play in steering rack

[masterslamma]

Hi,

my 2003 1.8 tdci 265k miles connect has lots of play in the steering rack between the shaft and the housing itself in the direction of the red arrow.

Is there a bush inside the rack that can be changed?
Or is the only solution a new rack?
Will a focus mk1 rack fit?

Br

[metalworker0]

I looked for a rebuild kit for my rack a few months ago ... google.search did not find it ..only mk2's, i think or later were found.

did find this one though today:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195459752469?

i cant remember though.. when looking at other racks, some kits may have included shims ...think this above is just seals. ..Shims (sometimes circular, feeler blade thickness washers if it actually has them ?) is what you take out to tighten it up,. so may be you can do that ..without getting more of them ...how to do it, does this rack use shims, you'll just have to watch some you tube videos, as i've never done one, there are bushings in the kit by the look of things.

all the best.mark

[metalworker0]

shaft - do you mean the track rod arm

yes, these are replaceable
search;
rack arms
rod ends
inner track rod ends
tie rod

all the best.mark

[masterslamma]

Hi,

no its not the rod end, the play is from the steering housing itself.

On another car of mine, there is a igus/delrin bush that can be changed. But not sure about the connect.

It could be the top right part on the seal kit you posted, but not sure because the should be two of those bushed in the kit.

[metalworker0]

picture was unfamiliar to me ..could not work it out ,
Yes think this is the only kit available for mk1 , mk2 kits have everything in the kit

i did look extensively a of month back. it was over Christmas, so could have been a useless search

if you know someone with a lathe ....plenty of delrin on ebay

racks brand new are a few hundred -

All the best.mark