12-11-2024, 08:35 PM
Hi all,
Whilst my front axle was away being overhauled by Alba Austins I decided to overhaul the steering box as it was rather notchy and stiff feeling. I used the grinding paste method and after about 4 to 5 hrs I managed to grind away most of the high spots but you can still feel them there. Worried that I was going to 'overwear' the gears I decided to leave it at that. After thoroughly cleaning, greasing and reassembling the box felt much nicer although slightly tight spots were still evident, I could adjust the box with next to no play and be able to swing it lock to lock without any real issue.
Whilst I had the box apart I adjusted the end float by inserting a shim behind the little button, aiming to have 'barely perceptible play' as described in the manual.
Problem 1
On reassembly I found that the steering became very very tight once everything was bolted in and tightened up. Eventually I realised this was being caused by the clamp on the dashboard, once I had tightened up the 2 bolts securing the box to the chassis, the steering column would sit a good inch or so below this clamp. Initially I had just pushed it up to meet the clamp and then tightened it, but this seems to be putting enough force on the steering column to tighten on the inner shaft and make the steering horribly tight.
The only solution I've found to this is to insert a large washer under the rearward bolt of the steering box to angle it slightly upwards, and this puts the steering column in the right place. I've used a digital inclinometer to measure the chassis, and the part of the chassis underneath the steering box and engine bends upwards about 1.5 - 2 degrees compared to the chassis rearwards, is this normal?
Problem 2
As I mentioned before, whilst the box was on the bench I adjusted the end float to have 'just barely perceptible play' and all seemed well. However after fitting the box and connecting everything up etc. the endfloat now seems excessive...I think I can feel the arm moving in and out at the point when I change direction on the steering wheel and I can see it visibly moving when I rock the offside wheel left to right.
I'm not sure if I just misjudged the endfloat when checking it on the bench, or if the button wasn't fully seated when I was checking. Either way I've cocked it up and it will have to come back out again.
I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for setting it up properly and getting the best of out the box.
I should also mention that Ruairidh at Alba Austins is a proper legend. Does great work and sends you pictures and updates throughout the process (unprompted) and offers brilliant customer support afterwards. 100% would recommend.
Whilst my front axle was away being overhauled by Alba Austins I decided to overhaul the steering box as it was rather notchy and stiff feeling. I used the grinding paste method and after about 4 to 5 hrs I managed to grind away most of the high spots but you can still feel them there. Worried that I was going to 'overwear' the gears I decided to leave it at that. After thoroughly cleaning, greasing and reassembling the box felt much nicer although slightly tight spots were still evident, I could adjust the box with next to no play and be able to swing it lock to lock without any real issue.
Whilst I had the box apart I adjusted the end float by inserting a shim behind the little button, aiming to have 'barely perceptible play' as described in the manual.
Problem 1
On reassembly I found that the steering became very very tight once everything was bolted in and tightened up. Eventually I realised this was being caused by the clamp on the dashboard, once I had tightened up the 2 bolts securing the box to the chassis, the steering column would sit a good inch or so below this clamp. Initially I had just pushed it up to meet the clamp and then tightened it, but this seems to be putting enough force on the steering column to tighten on the inner shaft and make the steering horribly tight.
The only solution I've found to this is to insert a large washer under the rearward bolt of the steering box to angle it slightly upwards, and this puts the steering column in the right place. I've used a digital inclinometer to measure the chassis, and the part of the chassis underneath the steering box and engine bends upwards about 1.5 - 2 degrees compared to the chassis rearwards, is this normal?
Problem 2
As I mentioned before, whilst the box was on the bench I adjusted the end float to have 'just barely perceptible play' and all seemed well. However after fitting the box and connecting everything up etc. the endfloat now seems excessive...I think I can feel the arm moving in and out at the point when I change direction on the steering wheel and I can see it visibly moving when I rock the offside wheel left to right.
I'm not sure if I just misjudged the endfloat when checking it on the bench, or if the button wasn't fully seated when I was checking. Either way I've cocked it up and it will have to come back out again.
I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for setting it up properly and getting the best of out the box.
I should also mention that Ruairidh at Alba Austins is a proper legend. Does great work and sends you pictures and updates throughout the process (unprompted) and offers brilliant customer support afterwards. 100% would recommend.