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Re: Steering box, I'm afraid....PART TWO

To: " TR list" <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: Steering box, I'm afraid....PART TWO
From: TeriAnn Wakeman <twakeman@cruzers.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Aug 00 08:11:43 -0700
Cc: "British cars list" <british-cars@autox.team.net>
> One thing is;  I didn't replace the wheel
>bearings-just repacked them. But they SEEM tight, suppose this could be it?

I doubt it unless you backed off more than 2 flats from 10 pounds torque. 
 If memory serves you torque down the front bearings to 10 pounds then 
back off between one and two flats before adding the cotter pin (recently 
replaced bad bearings on the drivers axle so it is still reasonably 
fresh).  If you used a new felt seal you will want to drive the car a few 
hundred miles then readjust the nut.  The felt oil seal compresses a lot 
under use from new and you may be a flat or two too loose on the nut.  
You need to back off at least 1 flat, but 2 full flats has always felt 
too loose for me.

>...again, the whole front-end, excluding
>steering box and front wheel bearings, has been replaced or rebuilt.

I assume this also means that you also replaced the trunions.  Dry old 
grease inside the trunions can mimic trunion threads when you hand shake 
a trunion.  The only way I have been able to tell for sure is by removing 
the trunion, removing all grease from the inside thread area then 
checking for tightness.

Recheck your silent blocks.  You did not say how old the new parts were.  
There was a batch of bad new silent blocks (subject to coming apart) that 
were available some years back.

The only other thing I can suggest is one of my two favorites, the 
empirical method.  When in doubt jack the front up, securely mount the 
front on a good set of jack stands and have someone slowly wiggle the 
steering back and fourth while you check every connection for slop using 
a good lamp.  You are looking for any connection or part that seems to 
hesitate just a litle.  Then do it over again by wiggling the tyre 
vertically then horizontally.

Most of the time slop can be seen by careful visual examination while the 
system is being manipulated.

(My other favorite is compression test but it doesn't apply here)

Best of luck finding the problem.

 
TeriAnn         
                      http://www.overlander.net

  The world's most complete set of links connecting Rover 4X4 owners
  with Rover parts, service, accessory & sales companies world wide.


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