fishsponge's ongoing thread of problems!

[fishsponge]

I was going to use normal white string, but that might stretch too much.

What do you think of blue twine? It shouldn't stretch, but might come apart.

Wire would be best I guess... but what would I cut it with? scissors? snips? pliers?

(I'm allowed to make fun of myself on here, right? )

 

[davek0974]

Nice one

 

[Brian S]

I thought you were being serious for a moment. :lol:

 

[fishsponge]

:d:d:d:d

i'm trying to put smiley faces above, but it keeps converting them to letters!

to hell with it...

Oh, the one above works!

 

[Mr Noisy]

Oh FFS!

Are we going to have something special for page 100? Maybe a naughty spreadsheet?

 

[fishsponge]

what the hell would a naughty spreadsheet contain?!? numbers that aren't supposed to be there??

 

[Mr Noisy]

Yes, and incorrectly spaced margins!!!

 

[matthew2riches]

:doh::doh::doh:

 

[Big Stu 12]

what the hell would a naughty spreadsheet contain?!? numbers that aren't supposed to be there??

its full of 69 69 69 69 69 69 69 69's

 

[Big Stu 12]

You may find this can answer questions about some types of string... then add the information to a sread sheet

String Questionsy be of help as wellQuesation 3 ma

 

[fishsponge]

right, steering done!! ...almost.

Drag link, track rod, balljoints and steering damper replaced in 3 hours (timed from when I got up off the sofa to when I finished packing away). Very simple job... it took that long because of me trying to find various tools and doing it at a relaxing pace!

When i was done, using the measurements from the Haynes (and Rave, which was the same) everything was pretty much perfect except the steering wheel was way off centre. The wheels looked good though.

I then took it to the local 4 wheel geometry place to have it aligned properly, and I specified that when they had done the "steer left, steer right, then centred" test, I asked if "centred" could be in terms of the steering box, *NOT* the steering wheel or any other measurements.

So... he turned left, turned right, and then centred it slowly while I was under the ramp with an 8mm hex key... as soon as I could insert the hex key through the groove in the drop arm into the hole in the steering box, I said "STOP!". We then locked the steering wheel in that position and considered that "centred".

As it happens, when the steering box was centred with the hex key, the computer considered that the wheels had been put back to perfect centre as well, which was good.

The rest of the wheel alignment adjustments were made with the steering box centred and locked in that position.

Was that the right thing to do?

If it was the right thing to do, everything is now spot on, except that when the drop arm/steering box alignment groove looks like this (i.e. centred)......

......the steering wheel looks like this......

So... have I done this perfectly and the steering wheel just needs repositioning on the steering column? ......or not?

 

[davek0974]

Yes that sounds good, wheel needs to be moved but more likely the universal joint on the PAS box input needs pulling off and resetting which would probably be easier than pulling the steering wheel due to airbag.

At least you now know that everything from PAS box to wheels is aligned and centred nicely.

 

[fishsponge]

good... i'm glad i've done it correctly

Regarding the PAS box input, that is somewhat surrounded by all the aircon stuff... plus has probably never been undone, so could well be siezed. it has certainly never been waxoyl'd and has seen much water, sand etc... in its life.

Would it be easier to sit in the drivers seat and plod through taking the steering wheel off (despite it taking longer) or would it still be easier to do the PAS box input method despite all the aircon rubbish in the way?

Also, why on earth is my steering wheel is so far out?!? drop arm placed badly on the splines during manufacture 14 years ago? previous owner?

 

[davek0974]

Drop arm will only go in one position so that's ok, probably just had the UJ's fitted wrongly.

Apart from the rust, getting the clamp undone on mine was not too bad but be careful not to damage the input shaft.

If it were not for the airbag I'd say do the wheel but that stuff worries me

 

[Brian S]

As long as you disconnect the battery and leave it 10 minutes the airbag will be safe.

 

[fishsponge]

I have two batteries, do not understand electrics, no idea which cables to undo & no idea what the radio code is or how to program the central locking fob again if need be. Each of those individually is a show stopper for disconnecting the battery.

Do I tackle the steering column from above or underneath the car?

 

[fishsponge]

And does everyone agree that centering the steering box and then doing wheel alignment based on that was the right thing to do given that I now have to center the steering wheel?

 

[Brian S]

Does the car feel right, drive in a straight line, self centre, and not steer under braking? If yes to all this then it's right and you just need to reset the steering wheel.

 

[fishsponge]

Don't know yet... Can't drive it very well with steering wheel in that position! My brain keeps over correcting because it's trying to center up the steering wheel!

What I mean is, by centering the steering box and then doing wheel alignment with that locked in position is that the right thing to do? i.e. have I bodged it somehow and am now going to bugger something else up or have I done it perfectly do far?

 

[Mr Noisy]

You have done exactly the right thing. The car should drive in a straight line with the Allen key in the box. Adjust until it does this.

Then pop your airbag out and loosen the wheel, then set it straight.

Over the years the wheel gets moved around to compensate for cock ups down below. You need to set it back to where it should be.

Being in the motor trade and having removed squillions of steering wheels for various reasons, I personally wouldn't disconnect the battery. It isn't necessary.

Remove the key from the ignition so you didn't accidentally trigger your airbag light and itll be a simple job.

I'm impressed though fish, you got this one figured!