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Portugeezer

Member

• Jun 1, 2013

• #1

Morning guys,

I have a problem with my steering appreciate any help/prev knowledge.

A lot of free play has suddenly appeared! There is perhaps about 4 inches free movement in either direction from the top of the steering wheel before any roadwheel movement. Its the same with the engine running or not.
If I grab the steering input shaft to the steering box there is about 10 degrees of movement before any resistance is felt (corresponding with the free play at the steering wheel). How much freeplay is normal?
If that is an abnormal amount I assume the steering box is a gonner?

Cheers

 

MPfive

Active Member

• Jun 1, 2013

• #2

Get a second person to move the wheel while you have a good look at whats going on. Coulr be w couple of small things making it seem worse than it is.

 

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Portugeezer

Member

• Jun 1, 2013

• #3

Thanks for the tip,

I have already done that and all the lost motion is definitely at the steering box, just trying to establish what is a normal/acceptable amount.
Ideally somebody with a 300tdi will go and wobble their steering column shaft and give me an idea how much free play they have! at the steering box

 

MPfive

Active Member

• Jun 1, 2013

• #4

Mines got naff all movement before the wheels start to turn,maybe an inch if that.

 

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Portugeezer

Member

• Jun 2, 2013

• #5

Brill, thanks for that,

I have since found a pdf copy of Rave which tells me exactly how to centre the steering box blah blah which I have now done etc. However I still have an anomoly which Rave doesn't cover.

With everything centred and set up as per the book, I have exactly 2 full turns of left lock and exactly just 1 full turn of right lock. It does quote 3 to 3.5 turns lock to lock and I assume that should be equal i.e approx 1 and 3/4 turns in either direction. However with the steering box centred thats what I have.

Can you turn yours lock to lock and give me a rough idea how many in each direction?

Not easy trying to deal with this stuff from sunny pgal, appreciate your time and help :tea:

 

MPfive

Active Member

• Jun 2, 2013

• #6

Thats an odd one. I've got to go out later,I'll make sure I check and get back to you.

 

MPfive

Active Member

• Jun 2, 2013

• #7

Mines 1 1/2 turns to right and 1 3/4 turns to left. However im running 235/85/16 tyres with a +30mm lift with bump stops adjusted.

 

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Portugeezer

Member

• Jun 2, 2013

• #8

Thank you sir!

I have managed to adjust most of the free play out of the steering box but clearly the lock in either direction should be roughly equal, back to the drawing board.......

 

MPfive

Active Member

• Jun 2, 2013

• #9

Does sound like the box is on its last legs,but then thats one of the few things that hasn't let go on my disco so never come across the symptoms.