Need help removing the pinion assembly from a late 1275 steering rack

[MGNoir]

My '74 Midget has been without steering rack gaiters for quite some time. I'm in the process of doing a front-suspension rebuild, and have completely removed the steering rack to rebuild, paint, and refurbish (including gaiters). I'm sure with the lack of gaiters there is a lot of crud in there.

My problem at the moment is that I can't get the pinion assembly out. I've completed all the dismantling steps in the Bentley manual (section J.10) and am at #23 - "Withdraw the pinion assembly and dowel". However it will not budge in the slightest.

Is it supposed to just slide out? I've soaked an inordinate amount of PB Plaster down into there, and I've put a set of vice grips around the splined section (with heavy leather to protect) and can't get anything to shift at all.

I also have tried using a punch from the opposite end to see if I could drive it out via the end plug opposite the splines. I get a tiny bit of movement and the pinion will lock up, but I'm afraid to keep doing that and destroy something.

I'm theorizing that the pinion shaft bushing is just stuck. If that bushing is actually press fit, I don't quite see how one could just "withdraw the pinion assembly and dowel" without some real force.

Any suggestions?

 

[Jim_Gruber]

You've got the later Triumph Rack I believe. The earlier racks come apart and that pinion gear is easily replaced. I did so on my '68 and it really tightened up the rack. Might be easier at this point just to replace the rack. Alan Fisher might have a used rack. frogeye@cox.net. NFI.

 

[MGNoir]

You've got the later Triumph Rack I believe. The earlier racks come apart and that pinion gear is easily replaced. I did so on my '68 and it really tightened up the rack. Might be easier at this point just to replace the rack. Alan Fisher might have a used rack. frogeye@cox.net. NFI.

I'd considered the replacement approach, but kind of want to know if it's necessary or not.

Also, visually it is almost the same as the one in the Bentley Midget manual as shown below. Same rack layout, same brackets, etc. One difference is the shape of the rack housing just where the "1" line points. The illustration has a rounded end, mine has more of a "D" shaped end. Also mine has a hole in that end, whereas the Moss replacement (as an example) has that same shape, but no hole.

That said, if you look at the photos of this "late model midget rack" on eBay, you see both types: round and D shaped ends. > MG Midget, Midget 1500, Sprite, Steering Rack, LHD, Late Style, Original, !! | eBay <

 

[DrEntropy]

Soak that #5 dowel and area with 50/50 acetone/ATF. AKA: "Weasel Pi$$" for a day or two with frequent reapplication.

 

[MGNoir]

Soak that #5 dowel and area with 50/50 acetone/ATF. AKA: "Weasel Pi$$" for a day or two with frequent reapplication.

Have been soaking for a number of days with PB Blaster. Literally a pool of it in the dowel area at times. Will give it more time I suppose.

 

[DrEntropy]

Not trying to be pedantic about it, but the ATF/acetone mix has been proven a far superior penetrant to any of the "loose juice" commercially available.

 

[MGNoir]

I imagine it is. I'd rather let the commercial stuff soak a week before I go out and buy a quantity of two things I have zero use for beyond creating a tablespoon or so of mix.

 

[DrEntropy]

I imagine it is. I'd rather let the commercial stuff soak a week before I go out and buy a quantity of two things I have zero use for beyond creating a tablespoon or so of mix.

Understandable.