Steering slack

classic kev said:

Have heard one method for releasing the drop arm is undo the big nut (35mm socket required) then place the vehicle next to a high kerb or similar solid object and turn the wheel - the theory is it will loosen the drop arm.

I've not tried it but worth a go I suppose.

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That might work if there wasn't any splines

bustersbus said:

That might work if there wasn't any splines

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Probably, I think the theory is that putting load into the thing helps break the bond of the rust rather than shag the splines. When I changed the steering box on my Classic I ended up having to fire an entire welding rod onto the drop arm to heat it up then "tap" it with a 28lb sledge hammer - that got it off

classic kev said:

Probably, I think the theory is that putting load into the thing helps break the bond of the rust rather than shag the splines. When I changed the steering box on my Classic I ended up having to fire an entire welding rod onto the drop arm to heat it up then "tap" it with a 28lb sledge hammer - that got it off

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nah - put your biggest puller on it - tighten it as much as you can, heat it, tighten it, heat it, tighten it - then wait 24 hours

it'll usually be sat on the floor waiting for you

classic kev said:

Probably, I think the theory is that putting load into the thing helps break the bond of the rust rather than shag the splines. When I changed the steering box on my Classic I ended up having to fire an entire welding rod onto the drop arm to heat it up then "tap" it with a 28lb sledge hammer - that got it off

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'Kinell! Mind you, it beats tryin' tae cut the bugger off ah suppose
When ah renewed my steering box ah borrowed a relly good set of pullers and it came off quite nicely the second time ( might've had summit to do with stickin' some copper grease on when ah refitted it )

Sean said:

nah - put your biggest puller on it - tighten it as much as you can, heat it, tighten it, heat it, tighten it - then wait 24 hours

it'll usually be sat on the floor waiting for you

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I'll drop me 110 round for you to show me Sean

Sirus said:

I'll drop me 110 round for you to show me Sean

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patience is the key

Sean said:

patience is the key

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Swiftly followed by beer!

Sean said:

nah - put your biggest puller on it - tighten it as much as you can, heat it, tighten it, heat it, tighten it - then wait 24 hours

it'll usually be sat on the floor waiting for you

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Or drive it with the nut loose trust ne i didnt find this out on purpose

So after all that fuss I got around to disconnecting the drop arm from the steering. The castled nut was recalcitrant but came off at the sight of a breaker bar. I gave the drop arm a bit of a wiggle and there's absolutely no play in it, I wiggled the ball joint around and it was smooth and well behaved.

I guess the play must be closer to the steering wheel than here. Any suggestions?

Check the UJs in the steering column (there's 2).