The steering is not as precise as on a modern rack and pinion equiped vehicle, remember this! If it is less accurate than to be expected then there is excess movement in one or more components. You need to be able to crawl underneath the vehicle and idealy have weight on the front wheels. Drive on ramps are ideal for this. Simply get underneath and have your assistant rock the steering back and forth gently whilst watching for a delay in movement at any given joint in the steering mechanism. There may be more than one!
Scary bit. Had lots of play, looked as above. Despite locking tabs appearing to have been in place for ever, found pinch bolt from column coupling to 'box was not fully tight. Nipped up, play all gone. Splines a little damaged, but all appears fine. How did that happen? (No, I had not touched this previously, nor had the supplier of the bus).
Have to check everything, never, ever 'presume' something is ok, even if you have done it yourself. Everyone misses something now and again. :roll:
The tracking is simply a check of the front wheels running parallel to each other, 4 wheel tracking ,that the fronts are parallel to the rears, 'nowt to do with play. Also, worn steering damper will not cause play but will accentuate 'normal' steering inaccuracy for a bus.
