Just replaced my rear drum set up and now a new problem. took my 1971 Austin Mini 1275 for a drive to test the brakes and noticed steering wheel had excessive play(1 full rotation with nothing). Car was recently purchased on Ebay(Mistake). Car drove fine the first couple of drives, but now sterring wheel turns without turning the Tires. Please help, I have not tried anything yet, because I do not know where to start.

Ps: sorry if there is already a post like this, if so i could not find it.

 

Mine did this when the rack was badly worn (wow, that was in 1968).

You may be able to tighten it a bit, but I would guess that the teeth are gone off either the rack or the pinion or both. Rebuilt steering rack time, I'd bet. Don't fret, it really isn't much of a job.

 

And they're not that expensive either. That said, if the rack's worn there are bound to be other parts worn as well, such as the tie rod ends....

I can't imagine anyone buying a car this old off of Epay without budgeting substantially for repairs. There's no point in getting angry - it's an old car, it's gonna need stuff fixed - pretty often at least at first as you make up for all the deferred maint that wan't done.

Your best bet is to buy a Bentley manual and learn how to work on it yourself, you'll gain lots of knowledge that you'll use the rest of your life, and you'll get the satisfaction of working on and fixing your own car. So, have fun with it, or sell it now.

 

The best place to start would be to put the front end up on jackstands, remove both front wheels, and examine the steering linkage and rack visually. The steering rack is mounted at the bottom of the firewall connected to each front hub with a rod end. The threaded part of the rod end connects to the steering rack and the tapered end connects to the hub via a small steering arm.

With the steering centered and wheels removed, rotate the steering wheel and see if the steering hubs move. As mentioned in another reply above, the gears may be shot in the steering rack. You should be able to tell right away.

For what it's worth, I find the Haynes manual the best for general how-to, and the factory service manual is _very_ nice for electrical schematics. Both are available at online classic mini parts distributors.

Good luck and happy motoring,
Jeff

 

Thank you for the info. So when I Remove the front tires and turn steering wheel should steering hubs move if Steering Rack is damaged or only if it is not damaged. When I replace the steering Rack should I also replace the Track rod end, if so do i only need one.

 

With the wheels removed, turning the steering wheel should turn the hubs with virtually no play (slop). Similarly, turning the hubs should turn the steering wheel with virtually no play.

As for what to replace, my advice is to assess what parts you need before ordering anything and replace any part that is visibly warn. Since replacing the steering rack will require a steering alignment (because the rod ends will need to be removed and reinstalled) if it were me I would buy 2 new rod ends with the rack, but that's just me. A simple visual inspection should show you what parts need to be replaced. There are two track rod ends ... one connecting the steering rack to the left hub and one connecting the steering rack to the right hub.

Jeff

 

might start by making sure the steering wheel is tight on the column.....

 

I will jacking up car tomorrow and checking hub's and other parts. I already priced replacement parts and found good deal with Minisport for all new parts with shipping for about $200.

 

Check that the pinch bolt at the bottom of the steering column is tight. You can get to it without jacking anything up. You might need to just lift up the carpet at the base of the column. Should be a bolt and nut that goes through a clamp that holds the splines against the teeth on the rack. If it's not tight, no steering. (First hand experience)

 

All the good advice is already given, but just wanted to welcome you to the world of classic Mini ownership. Obviously this isn't the first situation that's come up, and it definitely won't be the last! That's the joy (pain) of owning a 40 year old car. It's the character of these little beasts, and it's what either draws you to love your Mini, or what turns you to sell it as quickly as you can! Luckily most parts are easily found online, and the majority of them are pretty cheap. Definitely find yourself a good manual to follow.

 

I finally got to work on the car and found the steering column needs to be replaced. Base of steering column is worn on inside and all teeth are gone. Steering rack looks to be in good condition.

 

That probably happend from the pinch bolt being loose over a period of time. Glad you got it figured out.

Enjoy that Mini...

 

Tires, they are out of alignment or worn out unevenly (probably due to the bad alignment or lack of proper rotation).

-Brakes, if the vibration is accompanied by a "screetching" noise, or probably the brake pads are not properly adjusted (or out of place), or the rotors need to be resurfaced or changed.

-Suspension, the shocks can be empty, or probably the McPhersons are due to a change.

As I said, can be other reasons, including the steering system itself, but its not as common as the three reasons previously stated that are usually not expensive (new tires, new mcphersons, an alignment, or brakes service).

Let's hope is nothing more serious. Good luck !