Re: Steering

Posted by Marco on Oct. 21, 1998 at 12:55:30

In Reply to: Steering
posted by Jim on Oct. 21, 1998 at 09:32:44

Jim,
It sounds from both messages that you have it setup just a little tight. In my experience the best you can do is about 1/4" at the wheel without binding under a load, even with unused gears. If you can't get it that tight then you need to "blue" the gear teeth and find out where the bind is and dress the teeth accordingly.
If the play increases under a load or when installed in the car, there are three possibilities I can think of.
1. End play in the worm and shaft. If you adjusted it and backed off the adjusting screw as directed, the upper bearing sleeve may not have backed up against the screw until it was under a load. View the bottom of the steering wheel for any up and down movement while rotating the wheel back and forth against it's play.
2. The needle bearings may be too loose allowing for latteral movement of the sector under a load. The ones I've seen are too loose!!! Bob Carabbio has said his provided adaquate pre-load, so there must be some good ones out there. I am still very happy with properly fitted bushings. View the sector and shaft for movement while someone moves the steering wheel back and forth.
3. The additional play or slop is in the steering linkage after the sector (not in the steering box). That to can be determined while performing the second test.

The steering will only return somewhat on it's own and only at moderate speeds when the caster provides more pressure. You should never need to return it to straight but merely allow it to return by lightly returning the steering wheel. It should not stick!!! When the steering was new you could make a "U" turn with one hand and little strength. With the front end off the ground you should be able to turn the steering wheel lock to lock with almost no effort and with no tightening or bind. It will be very difficult to grasp one front wheel and steer it.

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