Steering rack centering

[paultv]

Is there a way to accurately check whether or not the steering rack is centered when the steering wheel is also straight ahead.

There's a spigot on the input shaft metal dust cover thingy, should this align with anything or ???

I read that the bottom knuckle split should align with the casting around the input shaft but the pictures I've seen are different to whats on my car.

It's obvious that the steering UJ's have been moved, maybe incorrectly re assembled like everything else on my jalopy.

Paul

[paultv]

I ended up measuring the steering wheel turns (4) and centered the rack that way - the steering wheel was a quarter turn left, giving me 1 3/4 turns left and 2 1/4 turns right. So that's not right.

Re-set the steering wheel position to straight ahead having marked the rack input drive, then used a pair of magic arm clamps to lock the steering system straight ahead. Re tracked the front wheels - result is lighter with good self centering.

Paul

[BMG]

Google something like ZF steering rack manual and you can find some PDF downloads, I found one for my M3 rack. There is a measurement for the rack sticking out the end of the rack body.
The protection cap/dust cover pointer should also align with the two ( on an M3 rack anyway ) raised tab on the valve body.

[paultv]

Thanks that's really helpful, just been out for a proper test drive, feels brilliant, I guess the hydraulic centering has been off the whole time I've had the car, 4 mot's, an expensive laser alignment - just done the lot at home, feels the best it ever has.

thanks

Paul

[milescook]

Thanks that's really helpful, just been out for a proper test drive, feels brilliant, I guess the hydraulic centering has been off the whole time I've had the car, 4 mot's, an expensive laser alignment - just done the lot at home, feels the best it ever has.

thanks

Paul

That's why I love the zone!