[alfa] Burman steering box adjustment

["John S." <roadtrip999@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jon -
I don't think you want to make the steering box "tight", just shim it to 
"just" take out the play. But before you start making adjustments, etc. you 
should inspect the box for tightness to the body, the bodywork itself (no 
cracking of sheetmetal, and also check for cracks in the steering box 
casting, which are not unknown. Further, is the bottom seal in your Burman 
box holding oil, or has it all run out years ago and you're running a dry 
steering mechanism? If that's happened it could be that the lower bronze 
bushing is worn allowing the steering shaft too much play. In that case, no 
amount of shimming will fix it. There's a picture of a steering box crack at 
this thread. Also, don't be afraid to take the top of the steering box off 
and inspect the inner walls of the casting, which is what you have to do to 
look for cracks. Just take the little oval plate off the top along with the 
springs and shims, then remove the four bolts. The two passenger side bolts 
have nuts, while the driverside bolts thread into the casting. When you do 
that put the wheels in the straight ahead position.

I'd say the chances are that you may have a worn lower bushing and a bad 
bottom seal that needs replacing.

Good Luck
John

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