Steering box

[ground hugger]

Hi
How much play if any are you allowed on the steering box :?: .
There is no play on the rotation and runs very smooth but you can push pull the leaver shaft in and out by 1-2mm. If I screw in the adjusting screw this goes but then the rotation starts to bind in the middle of its rotation.
Any thoughts on this one please Cheers...Dave

 

[ground hugger]

Hello again
Does any ones steering arm shaft move in and out of the steering box.
By any amount and how much play have you got if any (MOT'd vans)
Cheers....Dave

 

[Araon]

to be honest fella sounds more like the coupling is shot..... there should be minimal discernable movement

 

[ground hugger]

to be honest fella sounds more like the coupling is shot..... there should be minimal discernable movement

Hi Araon
Ive fitted a new coupling,new tie rods/rod ends,Steering damper,swivel pin and drag link.The only movement is on the arm that the drag link fixes to on the box.This moves in and out of the box by about 1-2mm "is this ok :?: "
Ive never had a van before to compare how the steering should be and the van isn't on the road or mobile yet(Engine out) .But when I turn the wheel (steering wheel)theres a bit of free play before the wheels start to turn.Should this be spontaneous :?: or is there a certain degree of play. Cheers....Dave

 

[Araon]

thats me not reading it right :roll: its not a "spontaneous" turn there is indeed a little delay in response... 1 - 2mm seems a little high need to find my manuals and double check....

 

[ground hugger]

thats me not reading it right :roll: its not a "spontaneous" turn there is indeed a little delay in response... 1 - 2mm seems a little high need to find my manuals and double check....

Cheers Araon much appreciated if you would check please...Dave

 

[VWAIRCOOLED]

For mot purposes you're allowed 75mm of play at the steering wheel before you get any actual movement at the wheels on a non steering rack vehicle with a steering wheel diameter of 380mm.

Personally for better steering response I would aim for better than that though.

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_220.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[ground hugger]

Hello
Right I have sorted the free play out ,Turn steering wheel and the wheels move 5-10mm max play .This is jacked up on stands and very smooth turning and on the ground (stationary) :shock: Feels like ive got two flat tyres :lol: "This is the first time Ive sat in the drivers seat and try'd steering" Hope it gets better when its moving :lol: But the shaft in the box moves in and out still.
How can you get rid of this play on the shaft.
A. Is it Kippered
B. Just stick the front pan/cover plate on and see what the MOT says
:? Any ideas
Cheers......Dave

 

[BJ1]

The adjustment on the peg or roller takes out almost all this free play. You need to adjust the box with the wheels off the ground until there is just a small hint of binding as it passes the central point. This is a very fine adjustment - you will need to do it several times before you get it right because you will find that the adjustment screw tightens up as you lock the nut, even when you are trying to hold it with a big screwdriver. Make sure the box is full of the right oil - I use SAE 120 plus a dollop of MS grease in my boxes. You should end up with about 0.1mm free play on the shaft, but 0.3 mm is OK.

 

[ground hugger]

The adjustment on the peg or roller takes out almost all this free play. You need to adjust the box with the wheels off the ground until there is just a small hint of binding as it passes the central point. This is a very fine adjustment - you will need to do it several times before you get it right because you will find that the adjustment screw tightens up as you lock the nut, even when you are trying to hold it with a big screwdriver. Make sure the box is full of the right oil - I use SAE 120 plus a dollop of MS grease in my boxes. You should end up with about 0.1mm free play on the shaft, but 0.3 mm is OK.

Hi
Ive adjusted it with the wheels of the ground and its just starting to bite half way(straight)with the wheels at this point there is no play,but on full lock either way there is about 1-2mm of play on the shaft.
Is it beyond adjustment :?: or is there more you can adjust ie shims in certain areas

 

[VWAIRCOOLED]

You may be able to reduce the play.Ideally you need to get the steering box off the van.Split it in two then check the shaft which connects to the steering column for play by rocking it side to side.If there is some there then you could try removing the lower bearing plate and removing one of the pre load shims.Put the bearing plate back on (Replace gasket if there is one I can't remember) Then loosen the luck nut and wind it out a bit before putting it back together and reseal the halves.Fill it with oil and centre the drop arm try adjusting it before you fit and re adjust it once fitted.

But if you've only got 10 mm of play at the steering wheel you should pass the mot anyway.10mm at the steering wheel is probably better than most of them out there.

 

[ground hugger]

You may be able to reduce the play.Ideally you need to get the steering box off the van.Split it in two then check the shaft which connects to the steering column for play by rocking it side to side.If there is some there then you could try removing the lower bearing plate and removing one of the pre load shims.Put the bearing plate back on (Replace gasket if there is one I can't remember) Then loosen the luck nut and wind it out a bit before putting it back together and reseal the halves.Fill it with oil and centre the drop arm try adjusting it before you fit and re adjust it once fitted.

But if you've only got 10 mm of play at the steering wheel you should pass the mot anyway.10mm at the steering wheel is probably better than most of them out there.

Cheers for that pal
Ill see what the MOT brings up first as you say 10mms good "at least somethings right :lol: ". Every thing else feel ok and if it gets mentioned Ill try the above.At least it should come off fairly easy now,had to weld the puller to the drop arm to get it off

What a job that turned out to be ,made sure it got greased up before putting it
back on.
Thanks for your input much appreciated........Dave

 

[BJ1]

Pretty heroic trying to remove the drop arm with that baby puller :lol: I usually use a 50 ton hydraulic puller to get these off. Well done! 10mm at the wheel is fine for MoT - these boxes always have more play at full lock than at centre so nothing unusual there.

 

[ground hugger]

Pretty heroic trying to remove the drop arm with that baby puller :lol: I usually use a 50 ton hydraulic puller to get these off. Well done! 10mm at the wheel is fine for MoT - these boxes always have more play at full lock than at centre so nothing unusual there.

Heroic I thought the threads were going to give way first :lol: