Loose Steering

[p76rangie]

All the manuals state the same thing. Jack up the front wheels so both are off the ground. Make sure that the wheels are pointing straight ahead (this is because of the normal slack that will occur off centre). Loosen the lock nut and adjust the centre screw until there is less than 1/3 inch play at the steering wheel without the output shaft of the steering box moving. This is assuming that you have another person to help you. Personally I just get underneath it and move the input shaft by hand while holding the output shaft. I adjust it until there is minimal slop between the two. Recheck once you retighten the lock nut as it will move the screw up a little when you tighten it.

Once you are happy, move the steering from lock to lock and make sure there are no stiff points. But again, only worry about slop and left or right lock if they are significantly different to each other. If you have say 2 inch slop on one lock and none at the other, you are up for a reco box. Also, if you are getting a stiffness at the same place in the rotation of the wheel, it is most likely the uni's on the shaft between the steering column and the box, rather than the box itself.

I hope this is of help.

[p76rangie]

I forgot to answer OnSlow's question about how you can get slop at one lock and not the other. The worm shaft has bearing at each end. If the bearings at one end collapse it means that there will be more slop at the collapsed end. If you adjust the straight ahead position to having no slop, when you get to the end of the worm with good bearings, the steering will be very tight. Basically the worm sits at an angle if bearings at one end have gone.

[onslow]

Originally Posted by rezdiver

quite the technical and informative reply.

can someone confirm with reference to manual or literature on who is correct so we can have some information to work with please.

i am on the side of there will be play at left and right lock as with only my experience with 3 rovers sitting here and a total of 5 boxes to work with and info i have received from mechanics here in Canada.

perhaps we are reading from a different hymn sheet,my definition of play is unwanted movement or wear in components ie unwanted movement in a component or series of components

[onslow]

Originally Posted by p76rangie

I forgot to answer OnSlow's question about how you can get slop at one lock and not the other. The worm shaft has bearing at each end. If the bearings at one end collapse it means that there will be more slop at the collapsed end. If you adjust the straight ahead position to having no slop, when you get to the end of the worm with good bearings, the steering will be very tight. Basically the worm sits at an angle if bearings at one end have gone.

Im sorry but if your into adjusting or even using boxes with bearing failures then im very concerned with the fact you are posting any info on any of the forums various sections at all,what you suggest would be extremely dangerous.I have never seen a collapsed bearing as you state however if i found one the box would be in my book unservicable and not fit for purpose and I dont think you have grasped my meaning of the word "Play".and through the basic design of the 4 bolt if a bearing had collapsed the worm would bind with the quadrant making driving very dangerous and a fault would be quite apparent to the driver.
also worm bearing failure would cause the input shaft seal to fail causing fluid loss leading to pump and box failure.

PS I will not be posting anymore info on this thread as I feel it pointless if anyone does require more info feel free to pm me anytime Thanks Onslow

[p76rangie]

Onslow, what I have informed people is how you can identify a bearing failure so they don't drive with it.

Originally Posted by p76rangie

But again, only worry about slop and left or right lock if they are significantly different to each other. If you have say 2 inch slop on one lock and none at the other, you are up for a reco box.

How would you identify such an event so you would not drive with it. The bearings and worm are internal and not visible from outside.

But I now know not to disagree with you because when you are proved wrong after making stupid comments you close the thread so you don't have to reply.