Steering Question

[Kevin MacBride]

I've a Fulvia Series 1 Coupe in for a few jobs. The last time I had it, I replaced all front balljoints, track rod ends and links. Plus any bushes on the suspension. The car has a leaking brake line somewhere.
The last time I drove it, it was fine, nice and tight and positive. Now its like the steering wheel is connected by a shaft made of porridge !!  Over in inch of free play, even mild use of the throttle results in the car veering wildly. It brakes in a straight line, so no problems with tracking.
Is it possible to 'adjust' free play in the steering box, or is it an overhaul job ?

[St Volumex]

Hi Kevin,

Our "Tigger" was just the same.  But replacing the bushings in the steering box and adjusting the worm and roller solved the problem.

Omicron has the metal bushings for the S1 while the S2's are nylon/plastic

Kindest regards,

[roddy]

Hello Kevin

Remember that the S1 Fulvia has a flexible 'fabric' type coupling at the end of the steering column where it enters the steering box.   They do deteriorate and start to de-laminate and break-up.   Omicron can supply new couplings, I understand.   Also it is possible to over tighten the adjustment of the steering box - must be done with the car on the ground and suspension settled, leaving just a slight amount of play on the steering wheel.   

Regards - Roddy

[Taggart]

You should also have a good look at the idler box as this sounds the more likely from the symptoms you describe.
It is easier to overhaul than the steering box as you only need 1 puller to dismantle it.
If you try packing the idler with thick grease before you go pulling things apart and it improves the steering then that is where the problem is.
Might save you a lot of time to try this first.

[lancialulu]

On the idler box (I have had to replace 2!) the give away is the car tries to drive off the road (left) on decelleration from say 70 mph.

Tim

[St Volumex]

Remember that the S1 Fulvia has a flexible 'fabric' type coupling at the end of the steering column where it enters the steering box.   [/quote

A simple replacement I have found for this, is conveyor belt material. 

[Kevin MacBride]

Thanks for the tips. I'm having a look at it this week, so hopefully I'll get it sorted.

[HF_Dave]

THere was an article in Viva Lancia a couple of yrs ago where the oil seal leaked, the fix was to pack the steering box with grease . The result was slightly heavver steering but not enough to make any major difference

[roddy]

Sorry to disagree, but I do not think it is a good idea, nor recommended, to put grease into a Fulvia steering box - it can 'channel' and cause dry spots.   Far better to put in Penrite Steering Box Oil.   It is thick enough not to weep past a seal (and probably contains properties to expand the tissue of the seals), yet is viscous enough to self seek a level.   It does exactly what it says it does on the label of the bottle!

Regards - Roddy