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T26HOM

Active Member

• Feb 2, 2016

• #1

can anyone please confirm for me 4 bolt steering box centering. Is it 2 full turns from left hand lock or do I count number of turns an set to the middle of these?

Also my steering is very light to the left and heavier to the right, all usual suspects have been checked, nothing worn or loose, is there anything in the steering box that can fail and cause this? The steering wheel always seems to want to settle in the 11 o clock position. It tracks dead straight with the steering wheel at 12 o clock but slightest camber or bump in the road causes it to jump to the 11 o clock position.

 

jamesmartin

Well-Known Member

• Feb 2, 2016

• #2

lock to lock is actually 3 and 3/4 turns not 4, and you do count turns and set between the 2 full locks or put pin up through drop arm into bottom of steering box if later type,when box is centered you then center steering wheel by removing and refitting or at the ujs, then a test drive will show if drag link needs altering to straighten steering wheel whilst driving straight

 

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T26HOM

Active Member

• Feb 2, 2016

• #3

Thanks James, just what I was wanting to hear. I can't lock the box with a bolt as I have replaced the drop arm for straight disco drop arm so don't have the cut out at the back.

 

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T26HOM

Active Member

• Feb 2, 2016

• #4

It was more for number of turns as some say to go back 2 full turns from left hand lock and others say to do as you have stated.

 

jamesmartin

Well-Known Member

• Feb 2, 2016

• #5

T26HOM said:

It was more for number of turns as some say to go back 2 full turns from left hand lock and others say to do as you have stated.

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i can assure you im right ,ive reconditioned hundreds and non have 4 full turns lock to lock,and real center is important,if you count 2 full turns from both locks and mark steering wheel position ,between the 2 points is center or 1 full turn and 7/8s

 

jamesmartin

Well-Known Member

• Feb 2, 2016

• #6

T26HOM said:

Thanks James, just what I was wanting to hear. I can't lock the box with a bolt as I have replaced the drop arm for straight disco drop arm so don't have the cut out at the back.

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disco arm should have the slot but counting turns is fine if its done exactly

 

Kwakerman

Well-Known Member

• Feb 2, 2016

• #7

Do a quick check that both the lock stop bolts on the hubs are set to about the same length, if someone has got them badly mismatched there is the potential for the centre position to be slightly out if you use JM's method in post 5 (nothing wrong with that method in principle). Personally I'd try to pin it first and use the counting method if you cant.

 

Vinlander

Well-Known Member

• Feb 3, 2016

• #8

A lot of steering feel is down to swivel pin bearing preload, set with shims under the top pin. They variously expand and disintegrate as they corrode. Fairly straightforward, but mind your brake pipes getting the top pin bolts out, and take care not to damage the swivel seal when unloading pins. Check on condition of pin bearings while you're there.
99% of roads in this country camber off toward ns, perfectly normal for the wheel to pull that way, but you'll tend to become hyper-sensitive to it when working on steering. On the continent it'll pull the other way, which can be quite disconcerting at first.