Steering play

[DrBill]

Hey guys, newbie here. In my newly acquired BN7, I've noticed lots of play in the steering box. I think the worm gear is worn out. Any one know where to find parts to rebuild these steering boxes?

In an unrelated issue, I wanted to mention that I replaced the rear springs with the uprated ones from Denis Welch in the UK. I gained 2" ground clearance in the rear end... nice! seems like these are they way to go as they have an extra leaf in them

Thanks!

Bill

 

[tahoe healey]

There is an adjustment screw on the steering box. Give that a try first. A little at a time. You have nothing to loose. you can always get it rebuilt.
TH

 

[DrBill]

Thanks, TH. I've done that... I've really got to hold on to the wheel or it'll change lanes if I hit a bump! If a rebuild is in order, aren't the parts difficult to find?

Bill

 

[Randy Forbes]

Are the remainder of the front suspension components in good shape? Worn kingpins, and especially the steering rod ends (all six) will also exagerate the feeling of loose steering.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Just a question or two.

Are you sure it isn't a tie rod end or especially an idler arm?

Idler arms always were the cause of lane changes for me on other marques.

That and bias-ply tyres on poorly maintained highways.

I am guessing you have visually observed the movement of the pittman arm to the movement of the input shaft?

Just a thought...........

 

[IanIrving]

Parts are available from AH spares in the UK, parts are shown in their on line catalogue and I've found their service excellent. I have no connection with them other than as a customer. Good luck.

Ian Iving


their web site


https://www.ahspares.co.uk/

 

[bighealeysource]

As Ian said above, AH SPares is a great vendor of Healey parts. I have used them
for 3 or so years and been very satisfied. If you do have a problem with a part
you receive, they will send you a new one to replace it at no charge. If you
do order from them, the freight can be expensive, maybe 20% of the parts cost
so get everything at once, not two or three orders. Like Ian, no connection
with AH Spares, just a satisfied customer. BTW, British pound is down now to the
US dollar.
Regards,
Mike

 

[Tomas_Norway]

I would consider a constant clearance worm if deciding on a rebuild, available from Dennis Welch and probably other vendors.

I rebuilt my steering box with the high ratio worm from DW, and the steering is very precise but obviously a bit heavier when parking.

 

[DrBill]

Thanks, guys. The problem is definitely "in the box." I have Pete Delaney checking to see if he has a spare box which isn't worn out. I may end up getting the worm gear from DW if not.

Bill

 

[IanIrving]

Can someone explain the correct method of adjusting play using the screw on top of the box. I have some play in my steering box, not enough to worry about yet, less than one inch rotation of the wheel, but if it can be adjusted out, I'd like to do it.
Thanks

Ian

 

[Randy Forbes]

Pretty simple, really. I just turn the screw down (after releasing the jam nut) until it just touches the worm (slot) then lift it up "a hair."

It's a bit of trial and error, as it doesn't take much to put the thing in a bind. If it's too tight, do it over again, backing the screw out "two (2) hairs."

 

[JAV]

Before doing that, one should make very sure there is no play in the worm gear in its bearings. Someone could have incorrectly set it in the past.

 

[tahoe healey]

JAV, Curious how you do that. I had my steering box rebuilt several years ago by BCS so I'm not worried, just curious.
I also have a 64 phase one. There seem top be a lot of us out there. Mine was built Nov 63.

 

[Randy Forbes]

Shims (added or removed) behind the forward most cover.

 

[John Turney]

I posted this method about 15 years ago (on another site):

I've found the method in the manual for checking play in the steering box to be overly difficult. Try the following: Place a 2.0-inch block of wood under each upper A-arm of the suspension. There is a rubber rebound stop under one arm, place the block under the other.

Now, when you jack up the front of the car under the frame, the front suspension will be in its correct position. You can check the front suspension for looseness now that it's in the air and in its normal position. You can check and adjust the steering box so there isn't any play in the steering arm without disconnecting it from the tie rods.