Two Steering Rack Questions

[My Dads Car]

Having no reference outside of my own experience, I am wondering if this ease of movement on my inner tie-rods is proper or shows imminent failure!

My second question regards the High-Ratio steering rack I bought from Moss as a possible replacement. The original has a threaded hole for the ground strap to chassis but the High Ratio rack has something entirely different: some type of socket I have never seen before... Any and all comments/suggestions are welcome, thank you in advance!

-Jamie

 

[RogerH]

Hi Jamie

that odd socket hole is basically a large grub screw.  Cheap to make.

Sadly it does complictae attaching your earth strap

 

Roger

[My Dads Car]

18 minutes ago, RogerH said:

Hi Jamie

that odd socket hole is basically a large grub screw.  Cheap to make.

Sadly it does complictae attaching your earth strap

 

Roger

Thanks, Roger. Do you think it would be wise for me to get the suitable hex head to dismantle? Perhaps I'll call Moss and see  what they recommend..

Also- any thoughts on the ease of motion on the inner tie-rod? Too loose? The replacement rack purchased is 100% more difficult to move as the original in the video

Thanks- Jamie

[RogerH]

I have never had any dealing with the steering rack. So can't really answer

 

Roger

[stuart]

44 minutes ago, My Dads Car said:

Thanks, Roger. Do you think it would be wise for me to get the suitable hex head to dismantle? Perhaps I'll call Moss and see  what they recommend..

Also- any thoughts on the ease of motion on the inner tie-rod? Too loose? The replacement rack purchased is 100% more difficult to move as the original in the video

Thanks- Jamie

The new rack your showing is sealed, do not try and dismantle, I just drill a small hole to one side  of that hex bung and use a self tapper to attach an earth lead to it.

Yes the other does have too much play in the inner rod end, they can be reshimmed or likes of TRGB will rebuild it for you.

Stuart.

Edited January 20 by stuart

[My Dads Car]

10 hours ago, stuart said:

The new rack your showing is sealed, do not try and dismantle, I just drill a small hole to one side  of that hex bung and use a self tapper to attach an earth lead to it.

Yes the other does have too much play in the inner rod end, they can be reshimmed or likes of TRGB will rebuild it for you.

Stuart.

Thank you, Stuart

[stuart]

8 hours ago, My Dads Car said:

Thank you, Stuart

Sorry didnt realise your in the US, Im sure there must be companies over there who could rebuild the rack for you, Often it just needs a shim or two removing to lose the play in the inner rod ends but attention must be paid to the actual ball end as if theyre excessively worn then the rod end must be replaced.

Stuart.

[My Dads Car]

On 1/21/2026 at 6:20 AM, stuart said:

Sorry didnt realise your in the US, Im sure there must be companies over there who could rebuild the rack for you, Often it just needs a shim or two removing to lose the play in the inner rod ends but attention must be paid to the actual ball end as if theyre excessively worn then the rod end must be replaced.

Stuart.

Thank you, Stuart.

Regarding the earthing question on the high-ratio rack I have: I am using solid mounts for the steering rack, not the original rubber type. Am I wrong in thinking the the rack is earthed via those mounts to the frame?

[stuart]

55 minutes ago, My Dads Car said:

Thank you, Stuart.

Regarding the earthing question on the high-ratio rack I have: I am using solid mounts for the steering rack, not the original rubber type. Am I wrong in thinking the the rack is earthed via those mounts to the frame?

As long as you removed the paint where the mounts gripped the rack tube then yes that would work, make sure the links through the rubber doughnuts top and bottom of the column are there as well.

Stuart.

[unclepete]

Many moons ago fitted a quick rack from Revs and came up against the Horn earthing problem - No grease nipple so no fitting for the earth strap?

I bodged it with a hose clip round the hex bung and tucked the earth strap under the clip, it worked and has been like it ever since!?

[My Dads Car]

Thank you, Peter. A very creative solution! It gives me an idea to try something based on your concept... I will share it here if it works.

Jamie

[My Dads Car]

On 1/26/2026 at 5:58 AM, unclepete said:

Many moons ago fitted a quick rack from Revs and came up against the Horn earthing problem - No grease nipple so no fitting for the earth strap?

I bodged it with a hose clip round the hex bung and tucked the earth strap under the clip, it worked and has been like it ever since!?

Update & Resolution

Here's what I used as a variation to your solution:

I took some aluminum flashing and cut it into a 1 3/8" square, then cut it as shown. The hex bung on my rack fit a 7/16" head bolt- the second nut is to make the assembly flush with the rack. Place the inverted bolt in the hex bung, slide the flashing over the bolt and cinch it down with the hose clip.

 

The end result:

Feels pretty solid, not a heavily stressed structural component to begin with. Might not look pretty, but it's close to original and I'm happy with it.

For the record, I also stripped the paint on the chassis and steering rack and tested for continuity - all works!

Hope this helps someone down the line

-Jamie

[stuart]

6 minutes ago, My Dads Car said:

Update & Resolution

Here's what I used as a variation to your solution:

I took some aluminum flashing and cut it into a 1 3/8" square, then cut it as shown. The hex bung on my rack fit a 7/16" head bolt- the second nut is to make the assembly flush with the rack. Place the inverted bolt in the hex bung, slide the flashing over the bolt and cinch it down with the hose clip.

 

The end result:

Feels pretty solid, not a heavily stressed structural component to begin with. Might not look pretty, but it's close to original and I'm happy with it.

For the record, I also stripped the paint on the chassis and steering rack and tested for continuity - all works!

Hope this helps someone down the line

-Jamie

Ingenious though I hate say it but as youve got solid rack mounts you could have just cleaned the paint off the rack tube where it contacts the mounting block and that would have done just as well. Oh and FWIW I hope one of those block mounts has the extra shoulder to contact the rack collar or its possible for the rack to slide side to side.

Stuart.

Edited February 13 by stuart