Chimaera virgin in trouble !!!!

[Corin Denton]

If you read my last emphatic email this morning I have bad news for you and please help , I cued my less tha 24hr old purchase up for 20 mile run to a country pub for a tight & twisty roast adventure but .... and there is a but , went to fuel after seven petrol stations in search of super "u" and when I pulled away from the station heard a noise from steering , thought it was a power steering belt slipping , went to my mates house to deliver an xmas card with my T.V.R. grin , posted said card , went to check power steering belt to find the Tiv's power steering fluid all over the front end of the car , on the top of the rack on the off-side there is an oval plate to the left of it a "machined" hole from which the fluid was pouring , topped it up and got it home but need to get it sorted does it need replacing ? if so what kind of Sierra rack is it ? Cosworth ? 4X4? Please help !!

[mmmmm]

dont know what it comes off but i think its greenwich? power steering sevices do cheap recon, ill find leaflet tomorrow in work and give u number and price

[yum]

Given your two in postings in such a short time, perhaps you should get him checked over carefully to see what else may be awry?

[pbrettle]

If my memory serves me right, I think that the steering rack is a Sierra one with a few modifications. I think that it is the same for the PAS version also - so standard ish. You really do need the part from TVR. All steering racks are expensive especially with PAS - would have though that you can expect to pay over £500 for one.

Do try some of the prestige salvage places though - they may have one that can be salvaged for a fraction of the cost. Would need professional fitting though.

Cheers,

Paul

[shpub]

The rack is a TVR special so don't even think of getting a Sierra one etc. Depending on the age of the car, this could end up costing a lot or a large lot as the older racks and spares are no longer available and here the cure may be to buy a new rack (not cheap). It may be possible to recondition it or get an exchange. Expect to pay around 5-700 pounds ish depending on what is needed to be done. Might be cheaper. Worth checking/replacing track rod ends and as well. Get the geometry realigned as well. This should be done automatically but it is worth reminding/checking.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[pbrettle]

Shpub (Steve I presume),

Is it right in that the PAS steering racks changed over time too? They were changed, upgraded and altered over the Chimaeras life - so you have to be careful with regard to the correct version for the replacement.

Cheers,

Paul

[trefor]

Corin - do you have a warranty with the car? I'd have thought that such a failure could be made to look like/reported as mechanical failure by the dealer. (You have to be careful hoe you present the claim as they won't pay for what they call wear and tear).

[shpub]

quote:
Is it right in that the PAS steering racks changed over time too? They were changed, upgraded and altered over the Chimaeras life - so you have to be careful with regard to the correct version for the replacement.

The racks have changed internally but the external fittings etc are the same so the latest rack will retrofit with older cars. It is just that spares etc to recondition the older racks are not the same as the newer ones which means that availability is difficult. It may be possible to recondition but it may not in which case it is a new rack time.

The problem is you don't know until the rack is off. So budget for the worst case and be pleased when it doesn't happen.

Steve
ww.tvrbooks.co.uk

[Corin Denton]

Thanks for all the input guys , T.V.R. quoted me £752 + Vat for the rack only , but rang around and a place called Kelly Bray steering racks in Cornwall will rebuild it with new seals etc. test it and deliver it back to me for £125 + Vat trade . Took the rack off today going to them tomorrow, cheers guys. Corin