P38A Steering.

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J L Carr

J L Carr

Active Member
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360
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Hemel Hempsted
Hi Guy's just a quick question, I've had an advisory on my MOT that there is play in my steering wheel, well had a look and noticed movement in the top joint above the round rubber bush, my question is can that joint be replaced or is it easier just to replace the whole column. These cost around £100 so not complaining about the price. Thanks.
 
Play in the steering shaft will cause vague/play in the steering wheel, similarly drag link balljoints or track rod end wear..

Wear in the steering box itself will cause excessive play in the wheel felt when stationary some of this can be adjusted out depending on severity.
Similarly the Steering shaft can cause the same symptoms.
 
Henry_b said:
Play in the steering shaft will cause vague/play in the steering wheel, similarly drag link balljoints or track rod end wear..

Wear in the steering box itself will cause excessive play in the wheel felt when stationary some of this can be adjusted out depending on severity.
Similarly the Steering shaft can cause the same symptoms.
Click to expand...

It's had new track rod ends fitted only last year, but now how can you adjust the steering box I hope it's in the RAVE, I have new drag links to go on so let's hope this helps, but the strange thing is it was only the radius arm bushes that was picked up. I cannot see how you could adjust it to try and take the free play out. Thanks.
 
There is an adjustment nut on the steering box, right on the top of the unit RAVE has the procedure to tighten if memory serves.

To check the steering shaft, mainly the rubber grasp the shaft from the steering wheel and steering box while someone jiggles the wheel, any freeplay will be evident.
 
Hi Henry, ye we did that but held the square joint lower with a pry bar and moved the steering and noticed that the joint above the round bush was moving, having looked into things a bit more with your guidance it looks like a shaft replacement and not just a top joint. As I've looked everywhere and it's not sold separately so will just have to part with more money. LOL.
 
Henry_b said:
There is an adjustment nut on the steering box, right on the top of the unit RAVE has the procedure to tighten if memory serves.

To check the steering shaft, mainly the rubber grasp the shaft from the steering wheel and steering box while someone jiggles the wheel, any freeplay will be evident.
Click to expand...

I've always been a bit reticent to touch it. I was told it tends to wear in the centre and tightening makes it very tight on tighter turns - like trying to park. I guess one day I will have to or look at a refurbed box.
 
J L Carr said:
Hi Henry, ye we did that but held the square joint lower with a pry bar and moved the steering and noticed that the joint above the round bush was moving, having looked into things a bit more with your guidance it looks like a shaft replacement and not just a top joint. As I've looked everywhere and it's not sold separately so will just have to part with more money. LOL.
Click to expand...
It's a common wear item, not too difficult to replace either! ;)

Mine is due. ;)
 
Grrrrrr said:
I've always been a bit reticent to touch it. I was told it tends to wear in the centre and tightening makes it very tight on tighter turns - like trying to park. I guess one day I will have to or look at a refurbed box.
Click to expand...
It depends on how far you go, going 1/4 to one full turn on the screw is where I start..
Any tightness can be adjusted out if you go too far.
 
Well I had all of the Radius arm bushes replaced and anti roll bar bushes and the drop links done, phew and £676 later, ythe car feels loads better to drive no wandering and of ithas a Full MOT but with all the idiots where I live now no frigging petrol to drive it. PML.
 
J L Carr said:
Well I had all of the Radius arm bushes replaced and anti roll bar bushes and the drop links done, phew and £676 later, ythe car feels loads better to drive no wandering and of ithas a Full MOT but with all the idiots where I live now no frigging petrol to drive it. PML.
Click to expand...
£676!? :eek::confused:

Ouch..

As for petrol I thin they've closed some stations to prevent idiots panic buying.. :D
 
J L Carr said:
Well I had all of the Radius arm bushes replaced and anti roll bar bushes and the drop links done, phew and £676 later, ythe car feels loads better to drive no wandering and of ithas a Full MOT but with all the idiots where I live now no frigging petrol to drive it. PML.
Click to expand...

The f*ckwits have been panic buying for 2 days here. They still haven't realised the price is through the roof and no-one has run out even after 2 days of queues. Utter f*ckwits. It'll be nurses or some other key worker that won't be able to get to work. Not some pensioner or mum unable to drop Little Jimmy at school rather than walk him the 1/3 mile.
 
J L Carr said:
Well I had all of the Radius arm bushes replaced and anti roll bar bushes and the drop links done, phew and £676 later, ythe car feels loads better to drive no wandering and of ithas a Full MOT but with all the idiots where I live now no frigging petrol to drive it. PML.
Click to expand...

Its surprising how much better they feel with new bushes and links:D
 
Yes a lot but they were needed, so £230.19 on parts only ,labour £330 and then the rest was VAT £112.04 plus 6.00 on consumables, boy it does feel better to drive, I could have done it myself but did not have the press or tool to put the brushes in.
 
J L Carr said:
Yes a lot but they were needed, so £230.19 on parts only ,labour £330 and then the rest was VAT £112.04 plus 6.00 on consumables, boy it does feel better to drive, I could have done it myself but did not have the press or tool to put the brushes in.
Click to expand...
It is a joy when you take your eyes off the road for a split second and she doesn't want to suicide bomb the side of the road:eek:
 
Hi Guy's. Could someone tell me where this adjustment screw or nut is as I've just gone though the RAVE manual on steering and all I can find is a description of turning the screw no picture all it's saying is shaft adjustment screw turn it just a couple of turns. o_O. Thanks.
 
Grrrrrr said:
I've always been a bit reticent to touch it. I was told it tends to wear in the centre and tightening makes it very tight on tighter turns - like trying to park. I guess one day I will have to or look at a refurbed box.
Click to expand...
Quite right mate and if it's over tightened the steering won't self centre after turning the wheel,did it many years ago on a PA Cresta and it was a brown trouser moment.:eek::D
 
J L Carr said:
Hi Guy's. Could someone tell me where this adjustment screw or nut is as I've just gone though the RAVE manual on steering and all I can find is a description of turning the screw no picture all it's saying is shaft adjustment screw turn it just a couple of turns. o_O. Thanks.
Click to expand...
It's on the top of the steering box in the centre of a big lock nut.mark both and photograph them before you touch them so they can be put back in the original position WHEN you overtighten it.My advice is replace the shaft which has play in it and leave the adjustment alone.
 
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