Steering box adjustment

[HBG]

Would someone be able to direct me to a description of how to adjust free play out of the steering box please?

Thanks

[lancialulu]

I always do it with the front wheel off the ground. Best is if the suspension is normally compressed so the upper ball joint is not interfering with the feel.

Having checked if oil is in the box (!) loosen the adjuster lock nut and you will probably have to "break" the adjuster from the lock nut.

Only adjust with the steering box in straight ahead (If steering has been stripped down and thrown back it is possible that wheels may point straight ahead but the box is not . A possible check for this is to screw the adjuster in till no free play straight ahead and the steering should move progressively freer (and more play) either side of straight ahead. If going in one direction is more difficult the box is not centred. Assuming the box is centered and you have no wear in the idler or the many track rod ends you can carefully adjust the adjuter down till there is not play on the steering wheel when "waggling" back and forth and you can see the edge of the tyre moving in harmony...

Hold the adjuster and tighten the lock nut and recheck for no tightness.

[HBG]

Thanks Tim. The manual seems to list the same gear oil for this box as the gearbox. Is this correct? Would a thicker oil be better?

I'm wondering if the box has grease in it as there is an old blob beside what I think is the filler cap. Let's hope not!

[lancialulu]

normally the input shaft oil seal goes so some folk put goop in (a Landrover trick) but not really good for this steering box design.

EP90 was spec but you can try EP140. If leaking then box out!!

[nistri]

The steering idler box may also need adjustment to be done after removing the battery and (through the open slots in the battery tray floor) slackening the 13 mm locknut and turning the slotted screw with a long screwdriver. The steering idler box should have a grease nipple (early model) through which grease should be pumped. Later models miss the grease nipple and have plastic bushes that do wear and produce noticeable freeplay of the wheels. Replacing the bushes requires a special tool to open the idler box.

[fay66]

normally the input shaft oil seal goes so some folk put goop in (a Landrover trick) but not really good for this steering box design.

EP90 was spec but you can try EP140. If leaking then box out!!

I can't think of the name offhand, but I've used an oil , that once in the steering box sets like a grease so no leaking
Brian
8227
 

[HBG]

The steering idler box may also need adjustment to be done after removing the battery and (through the open slots in the battery tray floor) slackening the 13 mm locknut and turning the slotted screw with a long screwdriver. The steering idler box should have a grease nipple (early model) through which grease should be pumped. Later models miss the grease nipple and have plastic bushes that do wear and produce noticeable freeplay of the wheels. Replacing the bushes requires a special tool to open the idler box.

The idler was out and had new plastic bushes at Omicron last year. Also had a new centre track rod and rod ends. I'll have a close look for play but am hoping it's just a bit of adjustment required.

[HBG]

See pic. It looks like grease in the steering box to me.

I tightened the screw about 120 degrees until i felt some resistance, which has taken up some of the slack in the steering.

A short test drive and all seems OK. Should I add grease, add Penrite Steering Box pourable grease, add oil, or do nothing?

Thanks

[lancialulu]

I would overhaul the box asap but in meantime put oil in. See how fast it comes out. Generally the input shaft seal goes so oiil at least stays halfway up. 140ep is ok…

[fay66]

See pic. It looks like grease in the steering box to me.

I tightened the screw about 120 degrees until i felt some resistance, which has taken up some of the slack in the steering.

A short test drive and all seems OK. Should I add grease, add Penrite Steering Box pourable grease, add oil, or do nothing?

Thanks

The Penrite is what I used.

[lancialulu]

I think the box design does not respond well to grease which will tend to be scraped off the 2 gears whereas oil will cling on and re splash on the contact area.

I have had a box (will oil) that the surface hardening failed albeit after 200,000 miles but it shows the area is stressed.

 

[HBG]

Thanks all.

I'm not sure what the inside of the steering box looks like, but I'm tempted to vacuum out as much grease as I can before adding oil. I have a small wet vac that I can reduce to a straw size. No idea if it will work or whether I'll be able to access any of it other than the very neck. Will let you know.

[HBG]

Virtually nothing came out with the vac as it's not possible to fit a straw sized tube any further than maybe 25mm into the filler neck.

I decided to try the Penrite Steering Box fluid which is a flowing grease/oil. It looks like plum sauce to have with your crispy duck but doesn't taste as nice. As it's so thick it doesn't run into the box at all well. First time I added the oil I got maybe 50 ml in. I used a long zip tie, which would slide into the box to agitate the oil to help it flow in. The next day and after a drive I added some more. This I repeated over a few days, each time getting some more in.

No leaks so far and much smoother steering. I'll check the box oil one more time and do another box adjustment if needed. Very happy with the result.

[Richard Fridd]

Should it be poured in at a higher temperature?


  Richard

[HBG]

Didn't think of that.