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Does it feel as if the whole steering rack is moving slightly from side to side? Everything on the old Mini is so simple. The steering rack is held in place by two simple 'U'- bolts. These 'U'- bolts should have a plastic pad which the two threaded legs go through and this helps to hold the steering rack in place. Just lift the carpets in the footwell and try tightening the two nuts each side which tighten the 'U'- bolts. If they are indeed a bit loose, it could be that a previous owner has had the rack out and omitted to replace the plastic pads. (I had a second hand Mini where the rack came loose because of this).
As Quicksilver points out,the knuckle joint on the end of the suspension trumpet (rubber cone suspension), or hydrolastic unit, can wear through its nylon cup and start to grind away at the upper suspension arm. Just a matter of using a wind-in compressor tool for the rubber cone and changing the knuckle joint. If the seating in the upper arm is badly worn away, a bit of plastic padding will support the new knuckle joint cup.
Ball joints wear out. They need constant maintenance. We used to re-shim them regularly. I know one lad who used to take down some of the shims from his Quinton-Hazell ball joint kit on an oil-stone to get the the thickness 'just right! Always use a waterproof grease in your grease-gun to lubricate not only the ball joints but everything else, especially the rear radius arm pivots. And use the grease gun regularly! Don't use Castrol MS grease as this will emulsify.
One other thing - are the dampers (shockers) OK? They can clunk if they're worn out.
Edited by MrEckerslikefromRamsbottom on 22/09/2013 at 18:13
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