Lancia Motor Club

Does anyone know how much free play is acceptable for a steering wheel?

I’ve adjusted my steering box with the large slotted screw and there is about 3 tenths of an inch free play either way measured at the rim of the steering wheel. When I say free play I mean almost no resistance at all, just the friction of the bushes.

I suspect that it’s well within acceptable tolerance, but it would be good to have it confirmed.

A properly adjusted box (and good trackrod ends and idler box) should be able to see almost no play before the rim of the road wheel starts to move

Did you also adjust the steering idler box after removing the battery? Andrea

TBH I haven’t looked at it and have only looked up how to adjust the steering box and top up the oil, which it needed. Any tips on checking the idler box would be much appreciated. It’s a LHD car so I assume it’s easier access.

Whilst underway the steering seems excellent, I just find it a bit annoying that there is a very small bit of free play in the wheel when driving in a straight line.

1" freeplay at the steering wheel is not ideal but acceptable (MOT rule), Andrea

Thank you, that’s sounds like a good rule of thumb for safety. Sounds like mine is fine as it’s nowhere near that.

We are spoiled by modern cars' rack and pinion steering with essentially zero play, high gearing and power assistance.  I have never found a steering box without a degree of play (though the Aprilia is pretty good!)

Indeed we are David. It was brought home to me yesterday when I took my Mercedes SLK 280 for a long drive. Everything seemed so precise, particularly the steering, gear change and the throttle response.

That said, I find its six speed gearbox difficult to get used to compared to the Fulvia’s dogleg, and it certainly wasn’t designed with heel and toeing in mind!

I would be grateful to hear if anyone knows the answer to this.

The steering on my S3 seems excellent in ordinary driving through bends and curves. Free play at the straight ahead position is very small. However, the more I turn the wheel towards full lock (which is inevitably at very slow speed) the more free play there is.

If the worm or roller were worn I would expect it to be around the centre position, with the play almost negligible at the extremes because the extremes of the worm and roller are in contact with each other far less and therefore less subject to wear.

So, is this the inevitable result of the design of the worm and roller steering box? I can see how it could be.

PS - I understand that a globoid worm and roller is a better arrangement but don’t know if this is a feature of the Fulvia steering box.

Actually nothing to worry about as  the   box is designed this way - at full lock you may 10cm of play...

That's excellent news, thank you.

It would have seemed odd if the play was caused by wear and tear as the other steering bits all look original and seem to have virtually no play.

Late S2 and S3 coupes lost thei bronze bushes in their idler box where, regrettably, plastic ones were fitted (to save money). The grease nipple was also absent although it is easy to fit one. To adjust the idler box, one should remove the battery and work through the slots in the battery tray, Andrea

Thanks - I assume that's the same for a LHD car? The battery is on the RHS.

Yes, just remove the battery and you will see it, Andrea