Thread: Adjusting Slack in Steering box

Well I set to and removed the A/C compressor, I needn't have worried the Serpentine belt is a doddle to drop off and the A/c compressor was only 4 bolts and the flexible pipes gave loads of room to reach the steering box adjuster. So I adjusted it and it did need doing but it didn't eliminate much of the freeplay in the steering when the wheels were centred?
So I checked back along the steering gear and was horrified to find that the bottom U/J clamp was loose on the steering box splined input shaft!! It was really rattling. Luckily the pinch bolt just hadn't been tightened and it clamped on properly eliminating all of the remaining backlash, so well worth finding.

Cheers

Gromit

"You just gotta be lucky sometimes!"

Can be done without removing the aircon compressor but it is very fiddly and I found it was quicker overall to just unbolt the compressor.

When you adjust the play out of the steering box you should have both front wheels off the ground, tighten a bit , then rotate the steering wheel through both cycles feeling for binding/bumps in the action. If you feel binding in any position you may have tightened the adjuster too much, or your steering box is stuffed, Regards Frank.

I endorse Frank's comments. The reality is that the the steering box is rarely the source of much free play (usually elsewhere, as you have found), and if it is, adjustment will even more rarely fix the problem, and overtightening it in an attempt to remove free play that is not due to end play on the pitman shaft will only result in box failure.

John