Hi all, ahh your never bored with an old disco are you always something to do!

Anyway I have noticed im getting a fair bit of play im my steering. Mainly noticeable yesterday after riving along a windy road and realised how much play there really was. I can turn the wheel from straight - 12 o'clock to about 10 - 2 o'clock before the steering kicks in - a bit scary really.

Iv checked the UJ's that seem fine the play seems to be the whole steering rack moving. Is it the steering box reeding replaced or is there anything else I can do?

Cheers

Is there any movement in the panhard rod, goes from the steering box mount o/s to the front axle n/s. also check for play in your track rod ends. The steering box is also adjustable to take up some of the slop

since1875 said:

Hi all, ahh your never bored with an old disco are you always something to do!

Anyway I have noticed im getting a fair bit of play im my steering. Mainly noticeable yesterday after riving along a windy road and realised how much play there really was. I can turn the wheel from straight - 12 o'clock to about 10 - 2 o'clock before the steering kicks in - a bit scary really.

Iv checked the UJ's that seem fine the play seems to be the whole steering rack moving. Is it the steering box reeding replaced or is there anything else I can do?

Cheers

Click to expand...

Do you mean the track rod ball joints?

Get someone to rock the steering gently between 10 and 2 o'clock while you get underneath and check for wear, also check for wear in the U/j's on the steering rod in the engine bay.

If there's no play in any of the steering bits, check the Panhard rod bushes as Alex suggested.

Everything seems to be ok down there. How do you go about adjusting the steering box? Is it easy enough to do? Cheers

since1875 said:

Everything seems to be ok down there. How do you go about adjusting the steering box? Is it easy enough to do? Cheers

Click to expand...

It's very easy to do, but it must be done right or you'll cause more problems
for yourself. Basically it's a matter of slackening a locknut, adjusting the free-play and tightening the locknut.

1. First locate the adjuster on the top of the steering box, it's a locknut surrounding an allen bolt.

2. Next ensure that the steering is in the straight ahead position;

3. Now secure the allen bolt stationary whilst slackening the locknut;

4. Check the amount of slack by rocking the steering box input shaft input shaft;

5. Now turn the allen bolt in a clockwise direction until 95% of the slack has been removed - DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THIS ALLEN BOLT.

6. Whilst retaining the allen bolt position (this is vital) tighten the locknut securely and test drive. If there is any notchiness on the steering now, you've tightened it too much.

Hope that helps
Dave

Cheers Dave ill give it a go today thanks for that.

Great well happy feels like a new car. Just a quicky is it the same ball joints for the drag link as for the track rod? I can't seem to find them are they both right hand thread too?