Checking the steering gear

AP90 · Dec 28, 2013

Hi

Is there a procedure for checking the steering gear, swivel hub ball joints, drag links etc and also the backlash in the steering box as rave instructions didn't seem that clear to me

My steering seems to be wandering a bit.

New pirelli scorpions fitted so they may be a problem and I haven't checked the pressures yet, what do you guys recommend?

Many thanks and a happy new year to all and thanks to all for all the help and advice especially Steve who transformed my car with his specialist knowledge.

Amazing site and members

Ash

jamesmartin · Dec 28, 2013

get someone to rock steering wheel whilst you hold drag link and track rod seperately

Druim · Dec 28, 2013

get the pressures right for a start, sensitive beasts they are.

Also like a good working Steering damper

Datatek · Dec 29, 2013

Pirelli's have been slated by others for tramlining. Book says 1.9 bar front & 2.6 bar rear, when unloaded I find it better to run front and rear at 1.9 bar (28psi)

StuckAgainSteve · Dec 29, 2013

Mine used to wander when I first got it - I couldn't find any wear anywhere - it was a case of tweaking the adjuster on the steering box - sorted.

AP90 · Dec 30, 2013

Thanks Everyone

Should I check the steering play on or off load, ie Jacked up?
And what about the swivel joints

Steve, where is that adjuster, I seem to remember doing something like that on my old classic but that was more years ago than I care to remember, I have a feeling that's what it is, could find the section in RAVE?

Just driven London to Cornwall in the most awful weather, went very well did notice the wandering but will check the pressures tomorrow

Thanks again

Ash

Datatek · Dec 30, 2013

AP90 said:
Thanks Everyone

Should I check the steering play on or off load, ie Jacked up?
And what about the swivel joints

Steve, where is that adjuster, I seem to remember doing something like that on my old classic but that was more years ago than I care to remember, I have a feeling that's what it is, could find the section in RAVE?

Just driven London to Cornwall in the most awful weather, went very well did notice the wandering but will check the pressures tomorrow

Thanks again

Ash

From a safety point of view, perhaps it would have been better to check tyre pressures BEFORE you did London to Cornwall

AP90 · Dec 30, 2013

Yes you're right Keith, no excuse, have all that gear in the garage..........

And it has been noticeable since changing old scorpions (3mm) for new.

Druim · Dec 30, 2013

new scorpions on front with 29-30 psi, no issues.
Also run new steering damper, old had expired

AP90 · Dec 30, 2013

Yes I think a little adjustment on the steering box and a new steering damper may do the trick............and of course tyre pressures!!

StuckAgainSteve · Dec 30, 2013

AP90 said:
Steve, where is that adjuster, I seem to remember doing something like that on my old classic but that was more years ago than I care to remember, I have a feeling that's what it is, could find the section in RAVE?

Ash

It's the standard kind of deal for a steering box, an allen headed screw with a lock nut if I remember rightly, I checked that the box was straight (look in rave) and then gave the adjuster a tweak, literally with my pinkie and not to the point of feeling resistance so as not to over adjust.) then becked if off a smidge to compensate for tightening the locknut.

Is there any slop in the steering left to right? If not then wander can be induced by the steering box being over adjusted which stops it self-centreing as well as puts lots of wear on it

AP90 · Jan 19, 2014

Hi

So loosened off the steering box locknut and turned the allen screw from 9 o'clock to 1 o'clock, the steering feels much more positive my only concern is that I have over adjusted........any way of checking?, there does seem to be a little more resistance at the steering wheel

Thanks

wammers · Jan 19, 2014

AP90 said:
Hi

So loosened off the steering box locknut and turned the allen screw from 9 o'clock to 1 o'clock, the steering feels much more positive my only concern is that I have over adjusted........any way of checking?, there does seem to be a little more resistance at the steering wheel

Thanks

You have to reach a compromise when adjusting steering box. Centre of rack will be more worn than each end. So you cannot take all the play out if that is the case, or you will get a bind on both locks. Jack the front wheels clear of the ground and make sure there is no binding lock to lock. Or the car will not self centre.

AP90 · Jan 19, 2014

Thanks Wammers

I shall do that, how will the "bind" manifest itself, will it be increased resistance at the end of the Lock?

And should I check the binding with the engine running or would I get more "feel" w/o power assistance

Ash

wammers · Jan 19, 2014

AP90 said:
Thanks Wammers

I shall do that, how will the "bind" manifest itself, will it be increased resistance at the end of the Lock?

And should I check the binding with the engine running or would I get more "feel" w/o power assistance

Ash

Make sure it is smooth from lock to lock with no stiffening in either direction. Easier to feel with engine off. You will know when you drive it if it is too tight, it will not self centre properly from lock when you release the steering wheel. You will have to constantly correct the steering making it dangerous and undriveable.

AP90 · Jan 20, 2014

Great, thank you Wammers

Checking the steering gear

AP90

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jamesmartin

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Druim

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Datatek

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StuckAgainSteve

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AP90

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Datatek

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AP90

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Druim

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AP90

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StuckAgainSteve

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AP90

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wammers

No longer with us, RIP

AP90

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wammers

No longer with us, RIP

AP90

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