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steering adjustment advice needed - BN6

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nevets

nevets

Jedi Knight
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This is a follow-up on some previous posts... After disconnecting the side and cross rods from the steering box lever, I am able to observe what appears to be excessive steering wheel play. According to the shop manual, the steering whleel should turn no more than 1/32" before the lever starts to move. On my car, it's over 1/4", suggesting that some adjustment is required. I tried the adjusting screw on the top of the steering box, but that did not make a difference. The only other adjustment are the shims behind the bottom cover plate. Is this likely to be the cause? and do I really have to disconnect the horn & turn signal wires and withdraw the trafficator before removing the cover? and what if I need to add shims...are they available? hopefully shims will need to be removed? I recently mentioned this issue to someone at Healey Surgeons, and was told not to mess with that cover plate or the shims??? Any words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated, thanks.
 
Hi Nevets, The Surgeons told you right. if you rempve the end cover without removing the trafficator and draining the oil in the box you will have a mess on your hands.Further, if the box only has 1/4" travel it may not be a problem.I do not know what that translates to at the steering wheel.I would say if the steering wheel does not vary by more than an inch at the rim moving it side to side thats tolerable.If the worm gear end play must be adjusted by changing the shims behind the end plate it is best to drain the box then pull the trafficator. To determine if the end play is excessive,grab the steering rod and see if it moves up and down excessively.If so It might be corrected by shimming and then again you may have an excessively worn steering peg or worm gear or both.---FWIW---Keoke
 
Keoke
I don't think it's end float, which means it's not a shim issue. I tried the test where the steering wheel is held firmly as the lever is rocked back and forth, and I did not observe any lifting of the steering wheel. My guess it's wear in the worm and/or peg. When driving the wheel did seem to have an unnerving amount of play before the roadwheels changed direction. The question is...is it worth the trouble of removing the steering box and sending it out for repair? Thanks
 
Yes Nevets, not much choice if she is wandering all over the road and if you can find a source to rebuild it? Also you might just want to source a "Good" used one from a "reliable source".This may be the most economical way to go_On the other hand, changing the peg may do it its worth a try.--FWIW---Keoke
 
Thanks Keoke...I know both Healey Surgeons on the E. coast and British Car Specialist on the W. coast offer rebuild services for the steering box...don't know if it's just resleaving or full reconditioning? Guess I'll give them a call to discuss. Any experince with either team?
 
Nope Nevets, but I know them both and they are good-Pricy business steering box fix. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif---Keoke
 
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