steering slack
- Thread starter Gold Boy
- Start date
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Simon, have you looked to see where the slack is occuring? You can make some tightening adjustments before using the new kit by removing the slender cotter pin that keeps that screw in the lower left from turning and tightening up the screw a little before re-inserting the cotter pin.
Have you taken the play out of the steering box? I got rid of about 2" of play in the steering wheel with that. Just be careful not to overtighten.
Hey Gold Boy,
I had the same issue with my steering recently. To diagnose where the play in the steering is you should get an assistant to move the steering wheel from side to side as the motor is running. Then you can get down in front of the car where the steering linkage is and have a look for movement.
On my BJ the drag links were both real loose so I tightened them up with a really big screw driver. Tighten them all the way up and then back it off half a turn and replace the cotter pin. The bushes on my front suspension were shot so I installed new ones. You will no if they are stuffed cause when the steering moves the front springs will move too. The easy way to do this is to put a jimmy bar between the spring and shackle. Undo to shackle nuts and push down on the bar to take the pressure off the shackle and slid the shackle out. Replace the bushes.
Doing these 2 things improved the steering on my cruiser. Its never been better and it might work for you.
Cheers,
Gav.
I had the same issue with my steering recently. To diagnose where the play in the steering is you should get an assistant to move the steering wheel from side to side as the motor is running. Then you can get down in front of the car where the steering linkage is and have a look for movement.
On my BJ the drag links were both real loose so I tightened them up with a really big screw driver. Tighten them all the way up and then back it off half a turn and replace the cotter pin. The bushes on my front suspension were shot so I installed new ones. You will no if they are stuffed cause when the steering moves the front springs will move too. The easy way to do this is to put a jimmy bar between the spring and shackle. Undo to shackle nuts and push down on the bar to take the pressure off the shackle and slid the shackle out. Replace the bushes.
Doing these 2 things improved the steering on my cruiser. Its never been better and it might work for you.
Cheers,
Gav.
- Thread starter
- #6
"operation steering slackness" is underway.
that the factory spec is about 4cm of slack in the steering wheel.
"operation steering slackness" is underway.
that the factory spec is about 4cm of slack in the steering wheel.
I thought it was an inch or 25.6mm
After checking the steering joints on my 73 series,I tightened the nut on the steering box 5 years ago and it cured it beautifully.
The trick is to first slacken it off a little and retighten it whilst someone swings the steering wheel through a 120 degrees