Steering Wheel Play

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mike - 16 Oct 2004 11:43 GMT

On a S3 I have considerable (4") play at the wheel with no movement of the
wheels. Someone suggested the steering box needs adjustment. Found what I
think is the correct screw, it's on the outside of the box (RH Drv) blocked
by the wing. Pearing underneath the wing I can see a "square" box that
should be able to be removed to gain access.

Problem is all the bolts for said box are rusted well on, thinking of
cutting them off. Bit drastic so ....

1. Am I on the right path for adjusting - i.e. dont want to cut this thing
off and find this is the wrong screw
2. 4" sounds a lot to me (I'm no fisherman!) to adjust out ... maybe there
is something more sinister? Looked at the relay box and damper there does
not appear to be play here when the wheel is moved.
3. The steering box was covered in "oil". There is a square socket on top is
this for filling - what oil?

Thanks

Mike

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johnty - 16 Oct 2004 14:32 GMT

> On a S3 I have considerable (4") play at the wheel with no movement of the
> wheels. Someone suggested the steering box needs adjustment. Found what I
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> Mike

1. Yes your on the right path for adjusting the steering box....you will
need a 24mm spanner for the lock nut and about 12mm open ended spanner for
the adjuster.
The 3 fixings holding the steering box cover should be just nuts and bolts,
so as long as you have some replacements cutting them off isnt so drastic.

2. Its not alot of play to take out relatively speaking, but, make sure you
dont over adjust the steering box as it can make it 'lock up' the first time
you come to do a hard turn. Your supposed to adjust it until you just get
the free play out.

3. Yes the square socket is for filling up, as i remember it you supposed to
fill it to the bottom of the filler hole (if that makes sense). You use the
same ep90 you use for the axles etc.

Hope this helps

Johnty

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Richard Brookman - 16 Oct 2004 16:38 GMT

So johnty was, like

>> On a S3 I have considerable (4") play at the wheel with no movement
>> of the wheels. Someone suggested the steering box needs adjustment.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> up' the first time you come to do a hard turn. Your supposed to
> adjust it until you just get the free play out.

Just to add - most of the wear in a steering mechanism takes place around
the straight-ahead position, for obvious reasons. If you adjust out all the
play in this position, you may find it over-adjusted for the extremes of
lock. The only safe way is to do it with both front wheels off the ground,
and adjust so there isn't excessive resistance at any angle of steering. If
that still leaves you with excess play at the centre position, then it's a
new or overhauled box you need.

Signature

Rich

Series 2a
RR 4.6
V8 trialler
dog, wife, kids, whatever

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JD - 16 Oct 2004 21:32 GMT

> So johnty was, like
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> If that still leaves you with excess play at the centre position, then
> it's a new or overhauled box you need.

Unless it has been running without oil for some time (possible) it is
unlikely that the steering box is the major source of the play. By far the
most likely place is the ball joints on the linkage. There are six of
these, two on the track rod, two on the drag link from the relay unit to
the steering arm, and two on the drag link from the steering box to the
relay unit.
Other, less likely, places for play are the splines on the top and bottom of
the relay unit, and the splines on the pitman arm where it goes onto the
steering box. Other possibilities are the steering box itself being loose.
In all these cases it takes very little play to turn into a lot at the
steering wheel.
And I found a new source with mine recently - loose steering wheel. The
splines are not a real tight fit, so it relies on tightening on to a taper
to ensure no movement - and the spring loaded top bearing ensures that if
slightly loose it is not apparent.
JD

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