C5 X7 Steering Rack - Again!

[darbuck]

Yeah I would say it is easier with two pairs of hands. unfortunately I am solo on this expedition. I am nearly there now anyway so not so bad

[darbuck]

Hi lads, a little bit of an update. The seals on the pinion are different sizes the 20mm oil seal I got is fine but there is another seal behind the bearing which is 29x43x7. The bearing is a deep groove 16005.

[MattBLancs]

Hi lads, a little bit of an update. The seals on the pinion are different sizes the 20mm oil seal I got is fine but there is another seal behind the bearing which is 29x43x7. The bearing is a deep groove 16005.

Thanks for the update, news to me I must have overlooked that there was more than one!! Any pictures welcome. Have you had chance to look for this new seal size yet?

Does the bearing need replacement too imagine it lives a relatively easy life submerged in LDS?

[darbuck]

Yeah the bearing was rough so needs changing. I'm going to use 123bearings for parts. I'll post pics in a while.

[darbuck]

This is the pinion exploded, the bearing kept snagging every third full rotation for some reason. I couldn't get seal off without damaging it because of its placement.

[MattBLancs]

Bearing 16005 is very slightly different dimensions:
25x47x8 = ignore me, just reread and realised the dimensions quoted were for the mystery second seal Not the bearing!

This is where I bought the Speedy Sleeves from. This is their only listing for a 16005 bearing:
https://www.thebearingcompany.co.uk/pro ... g-25x47x8/
£7+vat (+ delivery)

This is cheapest I can find:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175352339593
£3.13 Inc delivery.

The eBay is complete with rubber dust seals (= 2RS) but these pull out with something pointy dead easily = ideally something like these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165984740605
Pick set, £2.69 Inc delivery

[MattBLancs]

Lip seal

The bearing company don't list a 29x43x7 lip seal
These might be nearest matches 28x43x7
https://www.thebearingcompany.co.uk/pro ... 7-r23-nbr/ £1.76+vat+delivery
Or 30x43x7 https://www.thebearingcompany.co.uk/pro ... 7-r23-nbr/
Same price


Are those measured dimensions of the seal (or sometimes size is embossed on it in miniscule writing?) Can you measure the shaft where the seal runs and confirm that inside diameter?

[MattBLancs]

Seems there's also an oddball in between lip seal size:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144651931747
29.4x43x7

[Jay-Bruce]

Surely the size of the lip seal would be determined by the speedisleeve being used?

[darbuck]

Hi lads the size is taken off the seal itself. My daughter was able to see it I couldn't with glasses and magnifying glass. I am going blind I think. Speedisleeve is only relevant to upper seal. The bearing is measured using Vernier caliper.the shaft is 25 for the bearing and 29 for the seal. The lower seal sits above the bearing below the valve body if you look you can see how it is staggered. I have gone with an skf bearing. You will need a 48mm o-ring with a 2mm cross section for the pinion housing lower seal as well.

[darbuck]

Hi Matt, I just reread your post the ntn is the original bearing manufacturer. I would rather pay a bit extra for a known brand personally especially when it comes to bearings. I got an SKF I think it was €9 NTN are probably better but SKF would be a close second.just waiting for them to be delivered now. I have it all painted ready for reassembly. Driveshafts re built aswell ready to go on car. I should have the head back this week. I am getting closer to putting it all back together.i am still cleaning the rest of the engine. I'm putting an SMF clutch into it aswell. I will be using it for towing every so often,so don't need the flywheel disintegrating in a couple of months. I done it on my old C5 never caused any issues.

[darbuck]

Hi All, Some photos of my rebuilt pinion housing and what I am using to protect the shaft.it also shows how it will sit against the cabin bung for want of a better word I didn't turn down the shaft on the lathe as it didn't need it and I just cut the nub off the housing with a sabre saw and ground it down . The photos have uploaded in reverse order.

[MattBLancs]

That looks great! Is the jazzy blue thing a steering rack gaiter or something else? Recognise the CV boot type metal clip, but never seen a blue rack boot

[darbuck]

Hi Matt,

yes it's a very Salubrious colour for a rack gaiter but it's silicone, might withstand temperature and flexing a bit better I want to CV clip the top to the bung aswell if I can.

[Jay-Bruce]

I actually thought that the blue item was a shock dust shield when I seen it? Anyways, nice build Darren.