[Mg-t] TD Steering Rack

[Dave and Liz DuBois]

John,

First off, the rack boots or gaiters available today don't hold up real 
well, so when you order them, get the ones for MGBs.  they are longer 
than the ones for the TD and don't get stretched as much, thus last 
longer.  they are a bit smaller in diameter at the rack end, so are a 
bit fussy to get on, but it can be done and they last longer.

There may have been a batch of tie rod ends that cam without zerks, but 
I think that all do now.  If you ever have to do this job again, instead 
of removing the tie rod ends from the steering arms, just measure from 
the jam nut to the flats for a wrench to fit on the tie rod, record this 
measurement, then loosen the jam nut and unscrew the tie rod out of the 
end, replace the boot, then run the tie rod back into the end until you 
have the same measurement - much easier and no need to have to reset the 
toe in setting.

The shop manual says to use 90W (80W-90) gear lube in the rack.  I feel 
that this is definitely the lubricant to use there, but there are those 
who will disagree with that and contend that a good lithium based grease 
will work fine.  The main thing is that some kind of lubricant be used 
in the rack.  I have not heard of any racks disintegrating (or even 
wearing out) regardless of which is used.

Cheers,
Dave