2cv Questions

Rostami · Post by **Rostami** » 18 Jun 2006, 10:10

Hi to all,

Is there anyone with some experience on 2cv? I need to know how hard it is to replace the steering rack...

thanks!

Clogzz · Post by **Clogzz** » 18 Jun 2006, 11:25

These fearless men must know everything about it:

http://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31957

Ian Fearn · Post by **Ian Fearn** » 18 Jun 2006, 11:47

This isnt a difficult job but it requires a fair bit of stripping down.

Steering column out

remove front wings

support car on the chassis with axle stands and remove wheels

undo gearbox mount and jack up the gearbox out of the mount

remove the shock absorbers

unbolt the 4 bolts that hold the rack in place from under the chassis.

Then manipulate the rack out of the car complete with suspension arms

Then you need to remove the suspension arms nuts which are behind the shockabsorber mounting plate (i use a drift and hammer)

remove suspension arms with a large hammer

refitting is opposite of removal as says the BOL!

Rostami · Post by **Rostami** » 18 Jun 2006, 12:37

Thanks Ian for your extensive description.
Actually it really frightened me!!! I am capable of doing it...but...

Well, I heard that the steering rack gan have problems if the chassis is corroded and bends. Can you please confirm? In general is it common for the steering rack to fail?

Thanks!

KEB1 · Post by **KEB1** » 18 Jun 2006, 16:00

I can only relate our experience with our 2CV and indeed the progressively heavy steering was on our car due to the chassis platform corroding away.
We put a straight edge on the steering column and found it was banana shaped.
Also, on our car, the doors would not stay shut when the car was on the move and we had unstoppable water leaks around the dashboard area, possibly due to the body flexing. The quarter panels between the bonnet and wings became distorted as well.

Cheers,

Kristian.

Ian Fearn · Post by **Ian Fearn** » 18 Jun 2006, 17:40

Rostami, if you fancy paying for an Easyjet flight i'll come over and do it for you!!

Working on a 2cv is like childs play after BX 4x4's, Xantia V6's etc...

The problem with a rotten chassis is that they generally sag where the front axles bolts to the chassis.

It pulls the bodyshell downwards and the opening for the steering column gets trapped and the weight of the body rests on the column hence the heavy steering.

Of all the problems i've had with 2cv's the chassis has never really been one of them.