Re: Burman steering box

[Kevin Trent <trentkc@domain.elided>]

<snip>
>Has anyone out there ever tried to rebuild a Burman steering box from a 115?
>And where might I find bushings, seals and shims?  Since I have the engine out
>of my GTV right now, it's prime time to consider giving attention to the
>steering box.

The problem with 105/115 cars at this point in their ~30 year life is high 
mileage which causes slop in both the steering box as well as the idler arm 
on the other side.  Get a rebuilt pair and they will make an amazing 
difference in a high mileage car.

Also, in addition to the bushing and seals, you need to replace the 
balls.  I used 9/32 chrome steel balls purchased from a local bearing 
company in a "ball pack" box of 80.  The trick for reassembly is getting 
the wormshaft through the main nut which carries the recirculating balls, 
and packing the individual balls on the wormshaft's inner and outer bearing 
races, and fitting the darn thing together before the bearings falls into 
the box.  Use heavy grease to "glue" the bearings to the races, then put 
them in the freezer overnight before reassembly AND WORK FAST.  The 
procedure is available in the Autobooks (Keith Ball) workshop manual.

If someone knows a source for the bushings and seals, please publish.

//kct, Powell, TN

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