Steering box adjustment/idiot question

[Chazchuzzlewitt]

I wanted to have a go at adjusting my steering box today but I couldn't get the required leverage in that area with my ratchet to loosen the bolt for adjustment- can one of you who's been doing this a lot longer than me tell me what tools you use to loosen bolts etc when working in confined spaces?

 

[television]

Steering box

I presume that you are trying to take up slack. Some have a nut, some use shims. This is imperative, the wheels must be on full lock when you adjust.If you do it with wheels straight ahead, it can seeze up when hot and turning a corner.
Malcolm

 

[Bolide]

Steering box

I'd exhaust all the other possibilities before adjusting the steering box. There's an idler on the other side of the car, a link between the two and two track rods with two ends each. That's six sources of play, plus the idler. So the chances of "tightening up" the steering at the steering box are slim and the effects of overdoing it are severe (stiff steering, accelerated wear). I've driven a car where the steering box was overadjusted and it ain't nice at all

I've had people say to me that replacing the idler made a big difference. I also think that the state of the tyre edges, the tyre wear pattern and the tracking all affect the way the front end of the car behaves

Personally I'd check the front balljoints, do a 4-wheel alignment, change the front tyres, check the rear tierods (the ones that control toe in) and go over the whole front end with a pry bar looking for play (with the car on a ramp and a helper in the drivers seat) before touching the steering box


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Chazchuzzlewitt]

ok- I read on another forum about going for the box before all the other stuff so I guess it's personal opinions. I have changed my steering damper and was going to replace the idler bolt/bushes this past w/e but I couldn't get enough leverage on the bottom nut for it to budge! Has anyone replaced this themselves or do you need special tools- the top of the bolt seems hard to get to.

My alignment (as you probably remember Nick) is spot-on on this car, still tracking straight with no uneven tyre wear. Steering is still positive at speed but I just feel has too much play at low speed.

 

[turnipsock]

I went and bought a rachet spanner with a hinged head to move this nut.

 

[Chazchuzzlewitt]

Where'd you get that Turnip?

 

[turnipsock]

Hellfords of all places.

I adjusted mine as far as I dared the first time I looked at this and it made the steering so heavy, it made the car almost undrivable.
Adjust it a couple of turns (anti-clockwise) and then try driving it. If you go to far then the seals will pop, but that is a long way out.

You can leave the heat sheild off for test driving.

I can't remember if it was possible to get a socket on it to loosen it.

I would take note of where you started so that you can put it back.