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Any ideas on a steering box with less play?

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AlexMayer

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Does anyone in the forum know about a steering box replacement that has less play than the original one? I´ve got mine already refurbished which improved the play in the center position a bit. But overall a more precise steering would make the car much more fun to drive. Any ideas to improve the steering are welcome. Thanks, regards
Alex
 
Did you replace all the tie rod ends and connecting rod ends in the steering gear as well? I did all at once on mine and saw good improvement, it is certainly not the same feel or directness of rack and pinion(like on a Sprite for example).

Some people in my club are doing rack and pinion conversions on early TRs, which have a similar set-up to the Healeys, but have not heard of as much activity on the Healey front, although I am sure someone is doing or has done it.
 
DWR has a gear setup for the steering box which eliminates the center high point which stiffens the wheel at center and loosens it at full turns. With this, you get a more consistent free-play setting throughout the entire turning motion. I do not have one myself, but I hear it does do a good job.

Mark
 
Hi Alex,
As said above, all of the joints must be tight. All big Healey steering boxes were worm & peg.

Additionally, there is an adjustment for peg end play, located on the top of the steering box. Also the steering shaft (from steering wheel) has a shim adjustment for end play. Shims are removed from the steering box end cover. With things correctly adjusted, there is usually no free play or binding.

In rare cases, if the worm gear is too worn, a replacement worm/shaft is available.

Denis Welch, UK has a "constant clearance worm" available which removes any "off center" play, but it is quite expensive. The original design allowed for slightly more play when the steering is off center.

I don't know of an easy replacement rack & pinion conversion, but someone else may know of one.
D
 
Hi Alex, There is one I can think of if you can find one someplace in Europe. It is the Pre war Buhrman box. Will take a bit of fitting though.---Fwiw--Keoke-- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cowboy.gif
 
Hi Alex,
SC Parts lists a “high ratio” steering box. 12.5:1. Allowing you to turn the car with less rotation of the steering wheel. Downsides are more effort to turn the wheel (especially when parking) and price. £850 is more than I will spend for that part, unless I really need to. Michael Salter adapted an MG rack onto a pre-production Healey, the story can be found HERE
 
OK It is doable, but it is a bit of a lash up, and so is this reply, :- look up Austin Healey club uk on the web, then go to Healey forum, you can enter as a guest. Go to Restorations and then Members restorations and look up UNCOBRA there is a host of pictures and one of them shows a Mk1 Escort rack and pinion installed in a Healey 100/4 of sorts, one heck of a motor.

If you don't like the idea of all that work just drool over the car.

bob
 
Bob Hughes said:
look up Austin Healey club uk on the web, then go to Healey forum, you can enter as a guest. Go to Restorations and then Members restorations and look up UNCOBRA.........
Click to expand...

Or click here !
 
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