Steering adjustment
There is some play in my steering, about 1.5-2in.
I tried to use the adjustment on top of the box, but the allen screw seems to be seized to the nut.
But first let me confirm my understanding of how this is meant to work:
- Loosen off nut with 19mm spanner
- Tighten allen screw about 1/6 turn
- Tighten nut
- Retest, repeat if necessary
If the allen screw is seized to the bolt I think I read on the forum somewhere NOT to remove the bolt off the box so you can attend to freeing off the screw. If this is the case, how is one meant to free it off? Not sure I want to apply heat at that part of the engine bay as wiring and other gubbins not too far away.
Thanks,
Chris
The steering box is a circulating-ball type, The adjustment screw has the effect of moving the gear closer to the ball-rack to remove play. However, it does this by raising the steering output shaft. So, before attempting to make any such adjustment ensure that there is no rust or debris on the output shaft or otherwise this will be drawn-up into the seals and you will have an oil leak.. The adjustment should be made with the steering in its centre position, as this will be the tightest position. There will always be some slack, by design, off centre.
Now, here's the bad news: In practice, even without seized adjusting screws, it is almost impossible to satisfactorily adjust the play on the steering, and if you really do have that much play you might consider a full refurbishment of the steering box.(not easy to find a company that can actually do this).
But, usually, you will find that much of the play is actually from worn ball-joints on the track-rods and drag-link, so check these carefully and also fit a new steering damper.
Well you are correct about "paint an seal jobs" I've not looked into this in detail for some time but internal spares for these items were NLA. However, the same steering box is still in production for the newest G's so it should be possible?
I would wire brush around the nut as much as possible, soak for a few days in WD40 or similar (make a dam around the nut using putty or silicone), and then try with a quality, tight fitting Allen key and ring spanner. I don't recall which way to turn. It may be in the service manual. However, this subject has been covered here many times and you may find more useful information by searching past posts.
If your box has never been adjusted before, then you may succeed.
So I've had a crack at adjusting this. I soaked it for a few days in penetrating fluid and got it moving. At first I screwed it outwards (probably by 3/4 of a turn) which made no difference after a road test. I had assumed by "lifting" the screw it would allow the vertical shaft pointing out the bottom of the box to drop further in. However reading other posts it's meant to be tightened, not slackened.
So I screwed it back in about 1 turn (+1/4 from it's starting position before I loosened it off). I think it's screwed in as far as I think it's going to go without rounding the allen key as it became very stiff.
There's still a 1.5in area of "play" in the straight ahead position. Under the bonnet, I can still move the steering column on its way into the box about 30deg.
But this is the thing - on a straight road, taking the white line as a datum, if you maybe take up half the slack at the wheel one way or the other, there is a deviation left and right.
And off the straight ahead there doesn't seem to be slack at all, for example moving through an S-bend when you are going from lock on one direction to another - it just seems loose just off center.
The links underneath look brand new - still have white printed factory markings visible.
How hard is it to remove the box? I am thinking of just getting it refurbished anyway for the sake of £250.
Or does anyone know of a reasonable 2nd hand 463 box for sale which I can have refurbed whilst the existing one is on the car?
Thanks,
Chris
The box is designed to have the least slack in the central position, which is where it wears the most, such that the slack can be adjusted out without overtightening the off-centre motion.
Note that there is also a collapsible steering column part, which usually develops quite a bit of play on its own.
As for removing the box, it is possible, by maneuvering it down and outwards through the chassis after disconnecting the drag-link. but it's a bit of hard work. Someone one here made a tool for removing the steering arm, should you require. (search past posts).
Occasionally they pop-up on ebay from vehicles being broken for parts, but LHD ones are obviously different , so don't look at German ebay. However, unless you are very lucky most will be worn.
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I'm pretty sure the play is in the box itself - I can wiggle the column freely where it enters the box, so I don't think the play is anywhere else.
PowerSteeringOnline.co.uk are local to me and offer a same day turnaround - I think I will ask them some questions about their process on refurb - check it's not just a clean and seals job.
But first it seems like I should at least try the adjustment - so which way am I adjusting (screwing the grub screw tighter or slackening it off?) and how to unseize the grub from the lock nut?
Chris