flash42

Active Member

• Jan 26, 2009

• #1

been told by the MOT man that my steering box has movment between the sector shaft and the drop arm.
will this have buggered the box?
if not how easy is it to fix?

cheers

flash

 

martinl

Active Member

• Jan 26, 2009

• #2

It is fixable, but its a specialized job. you can by a seal kit, you need to strip the box to test the drop arm shaft bearing, renew if needed and ream to proper fit on the drop arm shaft, then clean and reassemble the box, you then adjust the drop arm engagement with the small center screw. as you do this you need to move the box over center back and forth. The idea is to feel no play as it goes past center, but no tightness either. The design of any steering box (not rack) makes the drop arm have play when not centered,so you have to "feel" for that central point. most important though, you must not be able to "feel" the tightness as it goes past center.

 

Trewey

Cockernee, Pasty munchin bastid.

• Jan 26, 2009

• #3

The shaft is splined and tapered. It could be worn or it could just have come loose.
If worn, it's new / recon box time.

 

flash42

Active Member

• Jan 26, 2009

• #4

sounds a bit to much for me.
found new PAS boxes on ebay for under 100 so i think thats the plan

 

Trewey

Cockernee, Pasty munchin bastid.

• Jan 26, 2009

• #5

Good luck getting the old one off!

 

martinl

Active Member

• Jan 26, 2009

• #6

I once worked in a steering box recon place, they aint difficult, but they aint for novices either. a ton for a box sounds good, next problem is getting the drop arm off its tapered spline. that CAN be a bitch... big puller time.

 

flash42

Active Member

• Jan 26, 2009

• #7

well i have a rather large axe, plus access to a rather lovely sthil ms880 :smash:

 

martinl

Active Member

• Jan 26, 2009

• #8

OK, with the box off, loosen the drop arm nut a couple of turns then turn the box over, put the nut onto a solid block of wood. have the missus hold it still for you then hit the fukker for all you have with a big sledge hammer, back of the drop arm near as poss to the box. this usually shifts EM.

 

flash42

Active Member

• Jan 26, 2009

• #9

sounds errrr interesting lol

 

martinl

Active Member

• Jan 26, 2009

• #10

brutal. LOL

they can be f'in tight. Another way, more civilized, is to hire a hydraulic puller although i have known them "fail".... The sledge, properly applied, hard and efficient, usually works first or second blow.

 

flash42

Active Member

• Jan 26, 2009

• #11

i wouldnt even know how to use a hydraulic puller.
but a sledge hammer i can deal with

 

martinl

Active Member

• Jan 26, 2009

• #12

Best of luck...

 

flash42

Active Member

• Jan 26, 2009

• #13

cheers, and thanks for the help

 

dorset.g

Member

• Jan 26, 2009

• #14

Hi

I recently did this job on my 89 90 the steering boxes are repairable to a point, however get a recon unit trust me, the drop arm can be difficult to remove but with the right tool not a problem although it does come off with a bang, the unit is heavy so beware but pretty easy to install.
Not a nice job but well worth it,#.
DG