drag link steering problem

Hey All,
95, 300TDI, 134000, with everything standard. Quick question about a steering problem please.

The arm that attaches to the bottom of the steering box that goes to the ball joint that attaches to the drag link, is loose. (I can easily move it up and down with one hand). The play is all at the connection at the bottom of the steering box. The big nut with the locking washer that is bent over is still in place and it does not look like it has undone, but the play that is there looks like it could be removed by just nipping this nut up. Before I get my hands dirty, is there likely to be a major issue with this bottom part of the steering box??

I intend to replace the ball joint bit (Drop link i think it's called) at the same time as this looks pretty tired. Any major pitfalls doing this?

Someone also mentioned that wandering steering when going in a straight line is often panhard bushes? Worth doing these too?? if so any major issues doing that?

Many thanks for all advice as always!

just tigthen nut back up as tight as you can get it, then lock washer back to nut and arm

jimmyjimll said:

Hey All,
95, 300TDI, 134000, with everything standard. Quick question about a steering problem please.

The play is all at the connection at the bottom of the steering box. The big nut with the locking washer that is bent over is still in place and it does not look like it has undone, but the play that is there looks like it could be removed by just nipping this nut up. Before I get my hands dirty, is there likely to be a major issue with this bottom part of the steering box??

I intend to replace the ball joint bit (Drop link i think it's called) at the same time as this looks pretty tired. Any major pitfalls doing this?

Someone also mentioned that wandering steering when going in a straight line is often panhard bushes? Worth doing these too?? if so any major issues doing that?

Many thanks for all advice as always!

Click to expand...

This nut needs doing up bloody tight - 175N/m !!
Cheers
Dave

yeah for reference, mine came loose once after a very bumpy greenlaning weekend

i thought 'no probs' and tightened it up.

it came loose again, so next time i tightened it up tighter than i could even manage, and it has been ok since.

so id say get it as tight as you can, then ask a mate for a hand.

cheers

Cheers all!! 3ft bar and some grunting seems to have got it tight as a drum and all the play has gone. Defo some play in some of the ball joints still so I'll do them when I get a mo. Many thanks for the advice as always!!

James

as jamesmartin said locking washer has to lock to nut and steering box,have seen a couple where it is just locked on to nut,so is not locking to anything in reality

I may be mistaken, but I believe that it is connected with a bush.. If it is the one I'm thinking of... If it is.. change it, the excess movement can cause the bushes to wear and changing it at the same time will prevent it from loosening up again so quickly.. That is of course if that is the part I'm thinking of while lying upside down with my mac inverted reading my haynes!

the only bushes are in the steering box which sector shaft runs in but thats early boxes most are needle brgs ,drop arm like ball joints uses slow taper to hold tight