[Mgs] rack question

[Paul Hunt]

If the pinion teeth (not threads) fully disengaged from the rack then its 
possible they shifted position as well.  If they go back in a different 
position the steering wheel will not be in the same rotational position when 
the car is travelling straight ahead as it was before, and the turn signal 
cancelling positions will also have altered.  Both of these can be corrected 
by altering the position of the UJ relative to one or other of the steering 
column or rack shafts.  On my cars one of the shafts (rack, I think) only 
has a notch for the UJ clamping bolt which means the UJ can only fit 
relative to this shaft in one position.  The other shaft has a groove going 
all round the shaft and this is the one you must make the adjustment on. 
However others have said both their shafts have the groove, which means you 
could make the adjustment at either end of the UJ.  Other than that I don't 
think it matters how the pinion engages with the rack.

PaulH.

----- Original Message ----- 
> ... which
> caused the end of the steering pinion to protrude a few inches beyond 
> where
> the end cover is supposed to keep it.  I'm sure the threads at the end of
> the pinion disengaged from the rack at some time while I was moving the
> steering wheel back and forth. Can I just tap it back into place, or do I
> have to allign something first?