R55 :: Clubman Talk (2008+) Discussions revolving around the extended wheelbase Clubman (R55) model.

R55 Balky Steering Rack on Re-install...

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  #1  
Old 07-23-2021, 02:35 PM
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e24mpwr
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Balky Steering Rack on Re-install...

I finished my suspension install a while back, but upon buttoning it all up and pulling out of the garage, I found that I had maybe a quarter of the travel when I turn the steering wheel that I should have.

Background:
I replaced pretty much everything in the front - steering and end links, swaybar and LCA bushings (and the LCA's themselves), struts, etc. I dropped the exhaust and subframe to do all that since the Mini is an Origami car...

I did manage to pop one of the connectors for the rack as I was trying to line everything up (next time I'll have a friend/spawn helping... ) and it cracked one of the connector housings...

It looked cosmetic, so I popped it with some compressed air, installed the connector and put some electric tape around the outside guard against moisture/etc.



After the unsuccessful rollout above, I tucked it back in the garage and have been using it as an excuse to drive my old BMW.

Now I really kinda need the car back, and especially need to get it aligned/etc. before this time next week, so wondering if I've borked the rack.

Some other details:
  • It moves, stops and then feels like it's cycling or trying to move, but the wheels don't go anywhere.
  • Same behavior whether turning the wheel left or right.
  • From center, the wheel turns one half-turn either way. Hmmm...
  • No noises or anything strange.
  • I don't think I'm hitting anything. (except the half-turn thing...)
  • I'm not 100% sure I lined up the steering link to the wheel (i.e. returned it to the exact same position) but think I did.
Any help super-appreciated! (wondering if this will get more eyeballs in R56, and guessing all this stuff is essentially the same, but...)
 

Last edited by e24mpwr; 07-23-2021 at 03:08 PM.
  #2  
Old 07-23-2021, 03:21 PM
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e24mpwr
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Hmmm...

With the car in the air and the wheels off, I get more like 1.25 turns before things are limited...

So tires/wheels? They stayed the same?

I installed Koni Special Active struts BTW...
 
  #3  
Old 07-24-2021, 05:03 PM
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e24mpwr
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As it turns out, I had the steering end links swapped, so it was fouling on the wheel. I swapped 'em, and problem solved!
 
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