I don't think oil in the rack would have any effect on steering wheel
vibration. It isn't there as a cushion, it's to prevent wear on the
pinion and rack. If the actual steering is loose (excess play when you
turn the wheel from side to side at the center position) you can try
removing a shim from under the damper plate. However, if the wear is
concentrated in the center of the rack (as is typical), this may cause
extremely tight steering at full lock. If the whole column seems shaky,
you may just need the column bush replaced. This is not too difficult.
Other components of the front suspension, too numerous to mention, may
also contribute to this perception.
DVCameron had this to say:
>I just put some new boots on my 73 B. God only knows when the previous set
>were all in one piece. I happened to use the dental syringe method. I found
>these things pretty handy - a 10cc syringe with a curved 2 or 3 inch
>probiscus - used to irrigate dental work by hand. The curved thingie allowed
>me to stick it under the small gaiter opening and leave it there. Pulled the
>plunger out, poured 90 weight in, put the plunger in, drove 'er home. I got
>to be pretty good at it...I could do about 2 syringefuls a minute. And that's
>pretty good, too..cause it took about 24-25 syringefuls to put in about 8 oz.
>Finally took out the syringe, tightened the clamp on the boot - and listened
>to happy racks as I turned the steering wheel.
>
>Had not heard about the damper hole method - which I will perhaps use next
>time so as to not disturb the clamped boots.
>
>I did expect the subsequent ride to be smoother, and was slightly
>disappointed - I did expect more of a dampening effect on bumpy road surfaces
>from the oil in the rack. The steering wheel still vibrates quite a bit when
>I hit a bump - doesn't feel "solid". I filled up the front shocks and, as
>said, replaced the steering rack boots/oil. Any suggestions, or should I
>accept the vibrato as a part of the overall experience?
>
>PS - I counted tie-rod end threads before and after the boot installation
>(put new tie rod ends on, as well) - worked very nicely, drove fine, though
>I am having it aligned (by someone who knows more than me) before any real
>driving occurs.
>
>Doug - 73 red MGB near Boston.....
>
>
>
>
>
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
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