Re: stag-digest V3 #89

[ASMaughan <ASMaughan@domain.elided>]

In a message dated 14/03/98  20:10:53, you write:

<< steering
 
 The tightness of the nut on the rack is critical.  The torque input to
 overcome the friction and turn the pinion needs to be measured accurately=
 
 with a spring balance, this loading is very low and if you can feel the
 tightness through the steering wheel it is definitley too tight.
 
 This is critical because the rack tends to wear most at the centre point.=
  =
 
 If the adjustment is right in the middle, the probability is it will be
 dead tight on full lock, wihch means the steering will have no
 self-centring at all, highly dangerous!
 
 The procedures are described fully in the manual, if you don't have a cop=
 y
 please let me know and I will e-mail the relevant bits to you.
 
 If there is paly, it is likelyt obe one of the following;
 
 worn rack as above
 worn bush in 'remote' end of rack
 worn inner balljoints (very popular!)
 torque bar in steering rack broken
 coupling UJ's from steering column worn out
 worn/maladjusted thrust bearings in steering column
 any loose bolts, nuts etc holding rack or steering column assembly
 
 Mike Wattam
 Trumph Stag Register
  >>

Mike as usual is absolutely spot on here !

My only addition is to say please take it to a steering specialist rather than
persevere yourself. I have had a very fortunate escape through playing with my
steering rack, the O/S inner balljoint sheared of at 70mph as I joined the
sliproad M18/A1M towing a 26cwt caravan. Those in the know thought it was only
the caravan and in particular the anti-snake device which saved us from
certain disaster.

So please please be careful, the shivers still run down my spine when I think
of that night ( 23:45, hood down, racing home from Donnington )

Andy Maughan