kalkanites Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Hi Have read that steering box wear normally takes place in the staight ahead position.My steering is spot on when straight ahead whereas on full lock there is up to 3 inches of play.The drop arm ball joint needs replacing as does a track rod end .Could this account for the play and why does it not affect the steering in the straight ahead position. Many thanks in anticipation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cipx2 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 No, the play in the steering linkages justs adds as a (quasi)constant value to the play in the steering box. The steering box play increases towards both ends of the travel. This is normal, comes from the way it is designed. The only play that it counts is the one when the wheels (and steering box) are straight ahead (centered). Although the play increases towards the full lock, it doesn't really matter because the play is compensated (sort of speak) by the same force resultant that straightens the wheels when you let go of the steering wheel after you turn a corner. In other words you won't notice the play when you turn away from straight ahead (if the vehicle is moving, you will notice it when stand still). Just replace the worn steering ball joints and it will be fine. My advice would be to replace all the ball joints unless the other ones are fairly new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppy Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I've got 3 inches of play at straight ahead...thought that was normal! Guess I should be looking for a new box then... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cipx2 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Your toy would fail a MOT test "with honors" ... Try and see where the play comes from, might be other joints involved in this (including steering column). After dealing with those joints (and only after) you can try to adjust the steering box (my advice would be to follow the procedure described in the workshop manual). Maybe you won't need to get a new box for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppy Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Honours! Woo! An award! The slack seems to be on the connecting rod coming out of the box that the lower UJ is attached to. There is no slack in the column itself . When the wheel is turned the entire column turns (along with this spindle) but as I said above there's 3 inches of play! Would that imply something on the inside of the box is buggered? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cipx2 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Look at Les's thread on how to replace a steering box here: http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=16765 Go to the 3rd picture from the bottom. It doesn't matter that your box looks different, the principle is the same. What you can see there, apart from tools, is: - the drop arm (you called it "connecting rod") with the ball joint still attached but disconnected from the steering box - part of the steering box If there's a play in the ball joint, you know what to do .. Check if there's play between the drop arm and the shaft coming out from steering box (worn splines). If there's a play, check if you can get away with a new drop arm. If not, you need a new (reconditioned) box and, possibly, a new drop arm. If there's no play (or you already dealt with it) you can try to adjust the steering box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalkanites Posted January 22, 2008 Author Share Posted January 22, 2008 Hi Have read that steering box wear normally takes place in the staight ahead position.My steering is spot on when straight ahead whereas on full lock there is up to 3 inches of play.The drop arm ball joint needs replacing as does a track rod end .Could this account for the play and why does it not affect the steering in the straight ahead position. Many thanks in anticipation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalkanites Posted January 22, 2008 Author Share Posted January 22, 2008 Comments very helpful.Relieved to be told that slackness on full lock is the norm.Thank you for your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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