Aikichief
New member
Hi I just purchased a 1981 fiat spider and the steering box has alot of play in it ...was hoping someone could tell me the procedure for adjusting the box. thanks
too much play in steering box
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too much play in steering box
glenn2602
Member
It's relatively straightforward to adjust a steering box.
Use a screwdriver to hold the adjuster - the screw- and then undo the locknut. You don't have to undo the locknut much - maybe one turn.
Keep the spanner/wrench on the locknut and gently turn the adjuster fractionally. You don't need to turn it much.
Check the amount of play on the steering wheel and if necessary, turn the adjuster until you're happy with the 'feel' of the steering wheel. Again .. you should turn the adjuster fractionally and keep checking the play on the steering wheel.
You don't want a 'tight' steering wheel - this means you have over adjusted and are putting too much pressure on the bearing.
Raise the front wheels off the ground before you start the job. Adjusting the steering box with the wheels on the ground will cause a 'tight spot' on the bearing and feel strange when turning the steering wheel - it will 'grab'.
Use a screwdriver to hold the adjuster - the screw- and then undo the locknut. You don't have to undo the locknut much - maybe one turn.
Keep the spanner/wrench on the locknut and gently turn the adjuster fractionally. You don't need to turn it much.
Check the amount of play on the steering wheel and if necessary, turn the adjuster until you're happy with the 'feel' of the steering wheel. Again .. you should turn the adjuster fractionally and keep checking the play on the steering wheel.
You don't want a 'tight' steering wheel - this means you have over adjusted and are putting too much pressure on the bearing.
Raise the front wheels off the ground before you start the job. Adjusting the steering box with the wheels on the ground will cause a 'tight spot' on the bearing and feel strange when turning the steering wheel - it will 'grab'.
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Aikichief
New member
Thanks for the reply..I got drifted off on endless spring time chores I didn't get back to this project for awhile great explanation and picture again thanks.I ended up turning it one whole turn.... there is still play in the box but the steering seems much more responsive a treat to drive now ....unsure whether i am putting to much pressure on the bearing.but i seem to have about one inch play in the steering wheel and on the road is very responsive so guess i will leave well enough alone since I still have a whiteboard filled with other things to fix ha.
glenn2602
Member
Steering boxes aren't the best... They do seem to wear up to a point, probably because they've got more bits to wear out than a rack and pinion does.
There's always that vagueness associated with a car that has a steering box - sometimes it feels like you're steering a boat. Though having said that, sometimes when you turn the wheel the car doesn't always go in the required direction..
Steering boxes are low-geared and lack the 'preciseness' of rack and pinion. They were ideal before rack and pinion and power steering came along .. well .. they had to be .. there was nothing else. You'll soon get used to the handling. An inch of play is nothing ...
There's always that vagueness associated with a car that has a steering box - sometimes it feels like you're steering a boat. Though having said that, sometimes when you turn the wheel the car doesn't always go in the required direction..
Steering boxes are low-geared and lack the 'preciseness' of rack and pinion. They were ideal before rack and pinion and power steering came along .. well .. they had to be .. there was nothing else. You'll soon get used to the handling. An inch of play is nothing ...
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