Possible to reduce steering wheel play in a D2?

[MickG]

Not sure this is possible but I have about 2-3" of free play in my steering wheel when travelling on the highway, which can lead to a bit of wonder at times. I have a 40mm spring lift and run 33" mud tyres on 16" LR steel rims so I fully expect to have some play. Would be nice if I could tighten the whole thing up a bit though, any way of doing this?

Aye, Mick

[Psimpson7]

Steering box adjustment should take this out.

There should be a screw and locknut on the top.

can have a look at Golf on Sunday if your in it!

Rgds
Pete

[MickG]

Steering box adjustment should take this out.

There should be a screw and locknut on the top.

can have a look at Golf on Sunday if your in it!

Rgds
Pete

Nice one Pete.......will see you Sunday and will bring my tool box;):D Will also chat to you again about ECU stuff as well now that the mack truck is back to full strength........or as full as she is going to be for now anyway:D

Aye, Mick

[JDNSW]

While it is possible that the free play is in the steering box, I regard this as relatively unlikely. Get someone to wiggle the wheel while you look at where the lost motion is. Likely places are tie rod ends, pitman arm loose on its shaft, bushes at each end of the panhard rod, steering box loose, less likely, the two universals on the steering column.

Also note that any free play in any of the suspension bushes is likely to show up as steering free play while on the road - this is the likely problem if free play when driving seems to be more than when stopped. Could also result in similar fashion from loose swivel bushes or wheel bearings, but these should show other symptoms as well.

John

[Slunnie]

I had this in my D2 also.

The repair was to replace the tie rod and drag link ball joints. This included replacing the drag link.

[simonr23]

i have a small amount of freeplay, probably 3-4cm of circumference movement. for me, it is in the steering box. i see a large flat blade screwdriver thing up on the steering box. is this the adjuster?

[dirtdawg]

id be looking at the pitman arm

[weeds]

i have a small amount of freeplay, probably 3-4cm of circumference movement. for me, it is in the steering box. i see a large flat blade screwdriver thing up on the steering box. is this the adjuster?

i am sure i have read that one should be carefull when adjusting.......too much and you could wear out the insides rather quickly

[JDNSW]

i have a small amount of freeplay, probably 3-4cm of circumference movement. for me, it is in the steering box. i see a large flat blade screwdriver thing up on the steering box. is this the adjuster?

Yes, that is the adjustment - but it only adjusts the end play on the pitman shaft, which is likely to be only a small part of the play in the box. Great care should be taken not to adjust it too tight, as this will cause early failure of the box. Ideally it should be adjusted with the drag link disconnected, so as to make sure that there is no tight spots turning lock to lock (engine off), but you can do it with both front wheels on stands. If you adjust it, make sure the adjustment does not change when tightening the lock nut.

But before attempting adjustment, make sure that is where the slack is, not the U-joints on the steering shaft or the pitman arm loose on its shaft or the ball joint on the pitman arm.

John

[Urban Panzer]

Workshop adjustment procedure here :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/273.jpg

[simonr23]

thanks for the replies guys. the "slack" is definately in the box. i had someone move the wheel while i looked at all the components from top and bottom. to be honest, it doesnt feel at all loose on the road, i only noticed it because the wheel had locked in place(key out) and i could move it the 3-4cm.