20-02-2021, 03:46 PM
I am sure that aspects of this subject have been done to death over the years, indeed I spent several hours yesterday searching here and through the archive, online and the relevant publications, but I seemed not to find a complete answer, so if I may ask for your help and wisdom I would be grateful for any information, thanks in advance.
A brief resume: My RP in which I have covered about 20,000 miles since 2011, is scruffy but mechanically has had most of its innards fettled, felt or maintained. In 2017 I noticed that steering which always been without wander or twitch, was beginning to get vague and rather stiff away from the centre. It then developed an intermittent-wild-wheel-wobble front offside, so time to deal with it I thought.
I had the axle ends closed, fitted new king pins, checked the front spring and mounting, renewed the shackles and track rod ends, checked the wheel bearings, rebuilt the drag link and eliminated all but a minimum end play, renewed the ball pins. There was no change, except the steering became a little more stiff away from centre. I removed the steering column and with very able assistance, the inner steering column which was slightly bent was replaced, the old worm was fitted to the new column. The button thrust and the end float on the column were adjusted to a nicety, the play reduced to a minimum and the column reinstalled, with the the wedge washer and brake spindle replaced with new. The steering was even more stiff when on the ground and moving, but free when on the jack. I have checked that the steering arms are not loose. It became uncomfortable, after an hour my shoulders would ache from turning corners. On a jack pushing the wheels from lock to lock is hard one way and impossible the other, with the drag link disconnected the front wheels turn from side to side without difficulty, so I conclude that it is steering box related.
I decided it was time to try and get to the bottom of the problem. I have stripped the box, which was lubed with Penrite steering box oil, the box has never leaked from either the drop arm felt or the control tube at the bottom. There is no noticeable sign of wear on the worm or wheel, however I have turned the wheel one keyway. I have lapped the worm and wheel together as proscribed. Before I put it back together I have some questions.
I have heard (possibly read but cannot find) that thrust needle roller bearings have been used at, I think, the lower end of the worm, possibly also at the top. Is this a worthwhile modification, if so can anyone direct me to suitable bearings please and perhaps an article or review?
I know about the correct order in which to adjust the three axis, end play, side button play, lastly mesh.
I have part No.BM134 Felt Bush Support, it ls not in good condition and looks like a wavy washer, I dont think it will affect the steering but is there a suitable replacement?
I have always had a difficulty with the steering wheel which seems to go onto the column too far, if the retaining nut is done up tight the recess on the back of the wheel touches the top of the outer column before the wheel is tight against the top of the inner column and cannot be turned, I have to leave the nut just finger tight, which allows the wheel to rock slightly on the splines, what have I missed? Is there a cure?
DSCN6834.jpg (Size: 84.64 KB / Downloads: 900)
Felt bush
DSCN6835.jpg (Size: 81.14 KB / Downloads: 900)
Steering wheel recess
DSCN6836.jpg (Size: 65.7 KB / Downloads: 900)
Support washer, distressed!
DSCN6837.jpg (Size: 46.35 KB / Downloads: 903)
Outer column bearing face, unevenly polished/worn
DSCN6838.jpg (Size: 40.04 KB / Downloads: 900)
Worm top thrust washer evenly polished
DSCN6843.jpg (Size: 65.24 KB / Downloads: 900)
Bottom bearing face with steering box body
DSCN6831.jpg (Size: 56.76 KB / Downloads: 901)
Worm bottom thrust washer, even wear
A brief resume: My RP in which I have covered about 20,000 miles since 2011, is scruffy but mechanically has had most of its innards fettled, felt or maintained. In 2017 I noticed that steering which always been without wander or twitch, was beginning to get vague and rather stiff away from the centre. It then developed an intermittent-wild-wheel-wobble front offside, so time to deal with it I thought.
I had the axle ends closed, fitted new king pins, checked the front spring and mounting, renewed the shackles and track rod ends, checked the wheel bearings, rebuilt the drag link and eliminated all but a minimum end play, renewed the ball pins. There was no change, except the steering became a little more stiff away from centre. I removed the steering column and with very able assistance, the inner steering column which was slightly bent was replaced, the old worm was fitted to the new column. The button thrust and the end float on the column were adjusted to a nicety, the play reduced to a minimum and the column reinstalled, with the the wedge washer and brake spindle replaced with new. The steering was even more stiff when on the ground and moving, but free when on the jack. I have checked that the steering arms are not loose. It became uncomfortable, after an hour my shoulders would ache from turning corners. On a jack pushing the wheels from lock to lock is hard one way and impossible the other, with the drag link disconnected the front wheels turn from side to side without difficulty, so I conclude that it is steering box related.
I decided it was time to try and get to the bottom of the problem. I have stripped the box, which was lubed with Penrite steering box oil, the box has never leaked from either the drop arm felt or the control tube at the bottom. There is no noticeable sign of wear on the worm or wheel, however I have turned the wheel one keyway. I have lapped the worm and wheel together as proscribed. Before I put it back together I have some questions.
I have heard (possibly read but cannot find) that thrust needle roller bearings have been used at, I think, the lower end of the worm, possibly also at the top. Is this a worthwhile modification, if so can anyone direct me to suitable bearings please and perhaps an article or review?
I know about the correct order in which to adjust the three axis, end play, side button play, lastly mesh.
I have part No.BM134 Felt Bush Support, it ls not in good condition and looks like a wavy washer, I dont think it will affect the steering but is there a suitable replacement?
I have always had a difficulty with the steering wheel which seems to go onto the column too far, if the retaining nut is done up tight the recess on the back of the wheel touches the top of the outer column before the wheel is tight against the top of the inner column and cannot be turned, I have to leave the nut just finger tight, which allows the wheel to rock slightly on the splines, what have I missed? Is there a cure?
DSCN6834.jpg (Size: 84.64 KB / Downloads: 900)
Felt bush
DSCN6835.jpg (Size: 81.14 KB / Downloads: 900)
Steering wheel recess
DSCN6836.jpg (Size: 65.7 KB / Downloads: 900)
Support washer, distressed!
DSCN6837.jpg (Size: 46.35 KB / Downloads: 903)
Outer column bearing face, unevenly polished/worn
DSCN6838.jpg (Size: 40.04 KB / Downloads: 900)
Worm top thrust washer evenly polished
DSCN6843.jpg (Size: 65.24 KB / Downloads: 900)
Bottom bearing face with steering box body
DSCN6831.jpg (Size: 56.76 KB / Downloads: 901)
Worm bottom thrust washer, even wear