Question for trrdster2000...

[Geo Hahn]

...or anyone else who knows.

A local club member is having some steering problems on his 1800 roadster. Is this the same steering box and silentbloc set-up as used on the TR3s? Thought I'd check before I volunteered to take a look at it. Thanks!

 

[trrdster2000]

Geo, no to the same, wish it were. As far as I can tell the Triumph Roadster Club is the only one doing these screw gears and if that's his problem, that's the only answer I know. If not I have used some American bits and pieces. If it's hard to turn, king pins and bushings are a major cause. I would be glad to help in any way. Wayne

 

[trrdster2000]

Geo, there is a screw adjuster on the top of the box to take up a little slack, but don't get it tight. I have a book showing the different bits if you get into it and need to have a see. Wayne

 

[Geo Hahn]

He says he got a lot of play in the steering. Of course we start by crawling under there and seeing what has slop, may be several things. TR3s also have a screw adjuster and also need to not be set too tight.

Herman van den Akker makes a spring-loaded/floating adjustment screw for TR3s that helps worn parts by taking up the slack in the straight-ahead position (usually most worn) w/o being too tight at both ends.

I'll pass along your comments about the Roadster Club.

 

[trrdster2000]

And thank you, I'll have a look a the Herman van den Akker site, it may be something we could both use. Wayne

 

[trrdster2000]

Geo, here is a repeat of an article in the Triumph Roadster Review in 1977. Steering slack: Q? My 1947 Roadster is in good condition apart from the steering. How can I adjust the slack out of the system? A: Bearing in mind that there are a large number of components which would cause excessive 'backlash' if worn, your first task should be to check for worn track-rod ball-joints, king pins and bushes,worn front suspension shackle-pins and bushes, or wear in the steering box itself. The steering box is adjusted by first removing any end float on the sterring column (inner) by removing shims from under the end cover plate. Following this, with the road wheels facing straight ahead, remove the locknut and hexagon locking washer from the adjuster screw in the top cover plate. Turn the screw clockwise until movement of the rocker shaft is reduced to 1/64 inch, then refit washer and locknut. If this fails to help, I also found the complete reconditioning of the steering box article giving the specks on bushing and other assorted machining and majorly how to get it out. Haven't hear back from Akker site yet. Wayne

 

[trrdster2000]

Geo, here's the reply.
Wayne,

If your Roadster has the same gearing as the TR2's and TR3B's, it will fit.
If you are interested, you need to send me the old plate for a core.
The price is $65.00 + shipping.

regards,
Herman van den Akker
2100 Freeman Drive
Pine Mountain Club, CA 93222-6812
(661) 242-1253
----- Original Message -----
From: wayne
To: handhvan@msn.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2004 3:33 PM
Subject: Steering box slack spring tension ajuster


Sir, I was told you make a spring ajuster for the steering box in the TR's that takes up the slack inside the screw area and hope it will fit in the '49 Roadster. Any information will help, Thanks, Wayne

 

[Geo Hahn]

Thanks for the follow-up on Herman's product. HVDA has a fine reputation for well-engineered solutions so this may be an alternative for my steering box which is probably not ready for a rebuild but undoubtably has some wear.

I'll volunteer to give the local 1800 a look-see to help him assess where the slop is up front. A beautiful car but this problem is keepng it off the road.