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Hello everyone. I am currently doing a sloooow re-build of my Mk4/5 based Berli and have got to the steering rack. As far as I know its not been refurbished since the donor was built in 1982.
Preliminary examination revealed that the grease (? see below) was mostly gone, with any remaining looking dirty brown so likely significant water ingress. Tie rods have significant surface corrosion. Left hand end support bush deformed. Otherwise looking OK.
Most of you would probably go the Burtons Power refurbishment route. However I live in Perth, Western Australia so decided to have a go myself with my trusty Haynes manual to hand.
The pics show the current state of dismantlement. The top drive bearing was seized in place and only yielded to heat and force.
I'm after any advice in the following areas:
1. Does anyone have any experience with removing the top bearing from the drive shaft? Appears to be seized in place.
2. Does anyone have experience with removing the bottom bearing at the bottom of the housing? Its not yielding to gentle persuasion and I'm unwilling to get more assertive in case I damage the housing.
3. Ideally I would like to replace the tie rods. Does anyone know of a source?
4. The Haynes manual states using EP90 oil in the rack but I see no oil seals and it looks like grease was there originally (having said that there aren't really any grease seals either). Can anyone confirm that grease is correct?
Hopefully that is clear! Thanks in advance.
IMG_5697.jpgIMG_5699.jpgIMG_5700.jpg
Preliminary examination revealed that the grease (? see below) was mostly gone, with any remaining looking dirty brown so likely significant water ingress. Tie rods have significant surface corrosion. Left hand end support bush deformed. Otherwise looking OK.
Most of you would probably go the Burtons Power refurbishment route. However I live in Perth, Western Australia so decided to have a go myself with my trusty Haynes manual to hand.
The pics show the current state of dismantlement. The top drive bearing was seized in place and only yielded to heat and force.
I'm after any advice in the following areas:
1. Does anyone have any experience with removing the top bearing from the drive shaft? Appears to be seized in place.
2. Does anyone have experience with removing the bottom bearing at the bottom of the housing? Its not yielding to gentle persuasion and I'm unwilling to get more assertive in case I damage the housing.
3. Ideally I would like to replace the tie rods. Does anyone know of a source?
Note: I have been made aware that Escort Mk2 tie rods are similar and are available in Aus. But they appear to be a bit shorter, and have a 7/8 UNC thread at the inner end which does not seem to line up with my steering shaft.
4. The Haynes manual states using EP90 oil in the rack but I see no oil seals and it looks like grease was there originally (having said that there aren't really any grease seals either). Can anyone confirm that grease is correct?
Hopefully that is clear! Thanks in advance.
IMG_5697.jpgIMG_5699.jpgIMG_5700.jpg