Steering Rack Jammed

[Marconni]

Just completed changing the track rod ends on my 1970 Roadster, the job went pretty easy, but just put my wheels back on & the steering rack will not turn in either direction, it prety much jammed with only slight movement of say half inch each way. No idea what could have happened. Has any body any ideas..

[Paul Scott]

Steering Lock activated?

[Ian F]

Changing the track rod ends should have absolutely no effect on the steering rack, so this is a bit of a puzzle? Did you alter anything else?
As Paul suggested, is the steering column lock preventing movement?

Ian F.

[Marconni]

Sorted it out now, thanks for all comment's.

[Ian F]

That's good!! Was it something simple? Easy to miss the obvious and get led down the wrong path sometimes

Ian F

[Peter Cresswell]

Have you got the Minilite type wheels???
If so you the wrong track rod ends. You need track rod ends GSJ168A, rather than GSJ168. These are available from Brown & Gammons and I can't find other suppliers that list them or even admit to the problem! Unfortunately they are more expensive, but tey do allow extra clearance so they don't foul on the wheel and lock the steering rack when the steering wheel is turned,

[Ian F]

That's interesting Pete. So fitting the wrong type of tre will lock the steering? Do they prevent any movement or just limit the movement?
Learn something new every day

Ian F

[Not_Anumber]

Sorted it out now, thanks for all comment's.

How did you resolve this ?

[Charles Farran]

When fitting minilite / minator wheels you also need to be careful where the balancing weights are placed - they need to be set back from the inside rim / inside face by circa 20 mm , otherwise the track rod fouls the weights when the wheel is turned to the L / R rather than the straight ahead position.
Cheers, Charles