Adjusting steering play?

[Darwin]

I have about 4-5" of steering play at the steering wheel. (2-3" to each side of center. This seems to be consistent throughout the travel of the steering. I have adjusted my driving style so that the inital lag doesn't bother me anymore. However when unloading the steering as when coming out of a corner, I am getting a quick jerk to center as the steering wheel unloads. If I continue to go in the oppisite direction such as in making an S bend I get another quick movement as the gear loads up again. This is the best I can describe it. The play seems to be in the steering rack. Everything else seems tight. Bushings, tie rod ends, etc. are all new. Is there an easy way to adjust for wear in the steering rack?

Thanks,

 

[TR3driver]

Not really an adjustment for wear, but I believe there is an adjustment for the pinion/rack engagement. The big nut on top of the rack has shims under it & the workshop manual has a procedure for selecting the shim pack.

Also check that the problem isn't your inner tie rod ends (inside the boots). I'm not positive, but they might have shims as well.

 

[dklawson]

Even though it may appear to be the rack itself it may be elsewhere.

Your signature implies this is on a Spitfire. If so, check out the steering column flex joint. It will be on the column just above the rack. There are a whole bunch of rubber washers inside that joint. When they fail you will have the type of play you are talking about. I believe Spitbits had the best price on new joints if this is what it turns out to be.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Alternatively, you can probably find suitable rubber washers in a good hardware store for a bit less than the cost of a new joint, since it seems to be only the washers that wear out.

Of course, it could be the rack itself, but it might just be the rack moving due to dying rubber steering rack mounting bushes. That's not always obvious unless you are actually watching the rack while someone moves the steering wheel back and forth.

 

[Darwin]

The coupler was rebuilt when I installed it. I have watched all the connectios as the steering wheel is turned and there is no slop in anything leading up to the pinion shaft. The play all seems to originate in the pinion to rack gear lash. Is the pinion tapered so it can be adjusted into the rack thru the use of shims? If so, where are they available?

Thanks

 

[tdskip]

I hope I am wrong, but doesn't this suggest the rack or inner rods have play?

I don't remember any slop on my '74 Spit.

 

[TR3driver]

The .002" shims are available from TRF, P/N 120959.

Didn't find a source for the others, but they are P/N 120949 (.004") and 132055 (.010").

PS, but since you remove shims to reduce the clearance, you may not have to buy any more shims.

 

[Darwin]

thanks folks. will check out all suggestions.