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How much play in your steering?

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L

Legal Bill

Jedi Knight
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Hi guys. Now that I'm driving the 3000 around a bit, I'm noticing one characteristic that may be a sign of excessive wear in one of the few original components still in the car. The steering has almost an inch of play (measured at the outside circumference of the steering wheel) before actually turning the wheels. Is this normal or excessive? Is the solution to pull the steering box and install a new worm gear? Is the Welch worm gear the best solution for eliminating steering play?

Oh, and by the way, I checked kingpins, bushings, tie rods, etc. They are all new and I have identified the play as coming from the steering box.


Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Bill
 
It's been a while since I adjusted my steering, but I recall that there is an adjusting nut/screw on the top of the steering box, which may allow you to remove excessive play (try searching previous posts, you should find good information on this topic). Other members on this forum will chime in with more specific/useful information.
 
You might be able to take out some of the play with the adjusting screw, but you need some play else the steering will bind and self-centering will not be correct. Probably no more than a quarter-turn on the screw makes a big difference (I haven't done this in a while so can't be more specific).

One thing I noticed the other day: with my BJ8 up on jackstands with the wheels off, I was turning the steering wheel and noticed the axles would turn almost immediately when the steering wheel was turned even slightly. Yet, on the ground with the wheels on I have the same sideways play--about an inch--that you described. This leads me to believe a lot of the play attributed to the steering box is due to 'slop' in the rest of the steering apparatus; i.e. tie rods, etc., so changing the adjustment on the steering box may not change much.

Also, I've noticed when driving there seems to be less play--the steering responds fairly quickly--since the wheels turn easier when they're rolling vs. when they're just sitting still on the ground (duh).
 
Of the two BJ8s I have; one I could adjust out most of the play. The other would not and I replaced it with the Welsh new worm and matching peg, which did the trick.

John
 
Try the adjustments and replace the peg and bearing first if that does not reduce the play you may have to do what Jay did.--Fwiw-Keoke
 
Do not overlook the "end play" in the box. Usually adjusted with shims. Never seen bearing wear that required replacing the bearings. (Not talking about the bushing!).
Patrick
 
Patrick67BJ8 said:
Do not overlook the "end play" in the box. Usually adjusted with shims. Never seen bearing wear that required replacing the bearings. (Not talking about the bushing!).
Patrick
Click to expand...
,

We are not talking about the bicycle ball bearings But the roller bearings the peg rides on--Keoke
 
Keoke said:
Patrick67BJ8 said:
Do not overlook the "end play" in the box. Usually adjusted with shims. Never seen bearing wear that required replacing the bearings. (Not talking about the bushing!).
Patrick
Click to expand...
,

We are not talking about the bicycle ball bearings But the roller bearings the peg rides on--Keoke
Click to expand...
Yes, I know. Both work together for reducing steering wheel play.
The bicycle stuff is often misunderstood and overlooked.

Patrick
 
Thanks guys. If you could, please let me know how much play is to be expected with this system. I can't imagine that it will ever be as quick as a rack and pinion system, but should the play be reduced to a half inch at the wheel?
 
in my experience w/healeys
an only inch of play in an original shaft is great
your right it will never be R&P
i run the DW as original steering column
there times when i think i want the close ratio unit as oppose to the original ratio
but i still have some looseness in the wheel but its not sloppy
 
your right it will never be R&P-- :iagree:

But 1" of play is not too bad.--Keoke-- :driving:
 
I believe I have 1/2 inch or less each way from center. You did not specify total or from center. I have a "Nerdi" 15 inch wheel I did this with the adjusting screw. I could get less but it gets tight at the extremes. This amount is perfect for fast responses.
 
I'll pile on into the I agree camp, will never be rack and pinion sharp. Doesn't sound too bad, I would adjust the steering box with the adjusting screw (which sounds luxurious to me, my 100 had the early box with shims for adjustment), check all the tie rod and cross rod ends for any play, and if all appears to be in proper order call it good.
 
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