68 E-Type 2+2 I tried to have the car aligned & the mechanic found free play & couldn't complete the job. He suggested the problem was inner tie rod joints.I was surprised because I thought everything was new. After inspection I found the free play in the rack&pinion.Can free play be adjusted by adding shims to the plunger in the housing or should I get a rebuilt rack&pinion?

Submitted by rcmaury@bellso… on Thu, 11/09/2006 - 08:09

Edited on 2006-11-09 8:11:02

If the play is on the pinion side, the shims are C15199 for .004" and C15198 for .010" thick shims. We don't stock them for sale but I believe Terrys'Jaguar Parts should have them. If the play is on the other end of the rack, then the bushing is worn. Suprising that your alignment shop would notice this as it is spring loaded and even when out of adjustment, it is not noticeably loose. Might want to make sure it is not in the tie rods. Also, check out EBAY item #230049170213, might be of interest in this case.

Submitted by pepe01@localnet.com on Wed, 11/08/2006 - 22:35

68 E-Type 2+2

Thanks Dick, The only place I found free play was in the rack&pinion housing , which is manual. It seems that adding shims might take the free play out of the housing by improving gear mesh.I don't see shims listed in catalogs.Are they a cmmon parts store item?

Submitted by pepe01@localnet.com on Wed, 11/08/2006 - 22:31

68 E-Type 2+2

Thanks Dick, The only place I found free play was in the rack&pinion housing , which is manual. It seems that adding shims might take the free play out of the housing by improving gear mesh.I don't see shims listed in catalogs.Are they a cmmon parts store item?

Submitted by rcmaury@bellso… on Wed, 11/08/2006 - 14:03

A lot depends on where the play is. I am assuming that it is a manual rack. The tie rods are adjustable on either. If it is in the inner tie rods, they are adjustable as long as they have not been loose so long that the round part is not round anymore. There is a bushing inside the end of the rack housing on the passenger side that wears and gives up and down play on the rack. The rack must be torn down to repair this. There are also shims to adjust the gear mesh. This can be done in the car but is not easy as the final assembly involves pressing in a tight spring, much easier to do on the bench. Just finishing up building a 3.8 and 4.2 manual rack and will have pictures up on my site soon.