Steering box rebuild

[Stretch]

I'm planning to rebuild the steering box to my BJ7 this winter. Adjusting the roller peg will not remove the 1/4 to 1/2 inch slop at the center position. I'm pretty sure the play is not end play in the steering colums. I see that a roller peg is available but at a pretty steep price. The worm gear isn't available. Before I start does anybody have experience with this? I'm wondering if a new peg with the old worm gear is likely to solve the problem.

 

[Dave Russell]

Hi Stretch,

First, couple of questions - are you sure that adjusting the peg thrust screw won't remove all of the play? Do you have a shop manual & have you done the procedure for checking worm shaft end play?

It is common to have 1/8 to 1/4 play at the steering wheel. There will be even more at the limits of travel.

By adjusting the thrust screw you should be able to actually tighten the gear to the point of binding. If it doesn't, the problem is almost certainly end play in the worm shaft.

Under these conditions it is not likely that a new peg will help, but you can try it if you want.
D

 

[Stretch]

Thanks. I did the adjustment and can get it to bind. I slightly overtightened it and drove around the block but the half inch play remained. I'm going to stick with the plan and take it apart this winter to replace the bushing, seal, do an inspection and go from there. I want to fix some play in the turn signal assembly and see if I can get the turn signal to right itself more reliably, too.

 

[Dave Russell]

Stretch,

See this link for further adjustment of the steering shaft end play.
https://www.team.net/html_arc/healeys/200309/msg00144.html
D

 

[Hangtown Healey]

New worm gears are available from England without the center stiff spot and in a couple of ratios. I hope to install a new one this winter. I have had trouble with other home remedies such as adjustable side rods not keeping the stiff spot in the center.

 

[Dave Russell]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dave Russell:
Stretch,
See this link for further adjustment of the steering shaft end play.
https://www.team.net/html_arc/healeys/200309/msg00144.html
D<hr></blockquote>

Stretch,
Here is a follow up on the subject.
--------------------------------------
Ron Fine Esq. wrote:
"Dave, thanks for your advise about removing the end play in my steering box. I spent about an hour doing a trial and error adjustment by removing some of the existing shims under the end plate and I was successful in removing all noticeable sloppiness in the steering wheel."
---------------------------------------
D

 

[Stretch]

Thanks Dave. I'll do the check first, and hopefully, it'll save a whole lot of work! I'm curious about the new worm gears that are available. Is there a website?

 

[Hangtown Healey]

Cape Sport and probably Denis Welch have them, maybe even Southern Carbs.