Thread: 51 MG restoration.

So I’m struggling with my steering rack mod. Received my replacement die and it snapped as well!!! Thinking the steel was heated or bad temper or somethin on the one tie rod as the first one cut normally, and the second, well, two dies in and original threads are cracking now

Course it’s a hard to find, no longer produced piece, so now, I need to separate the shaft from the rack and see if I can save the threads by finishing the chase on the machinist lathe at work possibly,,
Worst case, I have my machinist friend reweld the shaft and cut a brand new thread run, presuming he can cut 9/16-16 tpi on our lathe..
No turning back so I need to get this tie rod reduced some how.
Cheers..

While I worked for a machinist when I was 14 and my father was a machinist, I know little of how they do their magic. (That's why I watch a couple of machinist channels at YouTube)

I would think that even if the machine he has access to can't cut the proper TPI some thing close could work with a matching nut.

Just a thought

Sadly this must be 9/16-16 in order for the outer tie rod end to thread onto it. I’d hate to try to source a different rod end etc and open that can of worms. I’m pretty sure our lathe at work cuts threads, just not sure if we have the right tooling for this particular cut. My machinist will be back from vacation next week and let me know.
Worst, worst case I look for a used inner rod on eBay and the like but it’ll add delays.

As I'd said twas just a thought----------

Maybe you could try thread files. It may not fix the threads that are cracked but you might be able to repair the ones that are not finished on the inner part of the rod.

Tried that too Paul, and the way the files just skates across the rod is what led me to think it’s hardened somehow. No bite into the steel at all. If my machinist can’t get the right carbide biting, It’ll have to be a do over, or maybe, I can heat up the rod some to bring back some temper. Don’t want to apply any heat unless warranted though.
And even those cracked threads aren’t necessarily a worry as the outer rod runs up many threads and will be sitting in clean new threads at the end of this ordeal.
Starting to sand down POR 15 in prep to lay some epoxy prime this aft or tomorrow hopefully.

Maybe try to anneal the next one some. Being a steering rod, I can see it being hard..
Or cutting out a section and using a sleeve. Plug-welded and welded at the ends.

Thanks Tom. Annealing this one may still be on the table if I can’t find one on the bay..
And as I look at where the cracks are is where it was exposed to the environment outside the outer rod where the jam nut lived all those years so corrosion may have played a part in that..

Wonder if the cracked threads would take to braze before my guy tries to finish the threads on the lathe.
Would fill the voids before I screw it inside the outer arm..

Mebbe others have done this. Do the inner tie rods unscrew from the rack?
Could be there is something that will fit without much modification.

Yes they do unscrew, ball and all. It’ll be the only way to chuck it up in the lathe.

That’s a computer image, not my rack yet. So I’m looking and have found some in UK for the Mg-zt, so have enquired as to compatibility with the TD with the seller.
Fingers crossed as these are brand new..