STEERING BOXES.

Matamata Record, Volume XIV, Issue 1277, 26 November 1931, Page 7

STEERING BOXES.

(By “ Mechanic.”) When play is found to be in the steering box, the motorist must first determine just which part of the box needs adjustment. To do this one must have some idea of the construction of the box? On the low-priced cars the most common type of steering is the sector type. This embodies a worm gear attached to the steering shaft, a sector attached to the cross-shaft and in mesh with the worm gear, and in most cases three adjustments—one for the up-and-down play in the steering shaft, one for end play in the cross-shaft, and one for meshing the gears or worm and sector. <

To determine which of these adjustments needs attention, take hold of the steering wheel and see if there is any movement up or down. If there is more than one-thirty-sec-

ond of an inch it will be necessary to tighten this adjustment, which is found either at the top of the box where the column enters it, or at the bottdnf of the box. When at the top, lit inay'take the form of a large nut ipr a set screw. In the case of a nut loosen the set screw or clamp-bolt and screw the nut down until the \ steering begins to bind. Then slacken the nut about half a turn and lock j it again. With the set screw, undo the clamp-bolt and the lock-nut on the set screw and tighten the set screw in the same manner as described for the nut type, and lock up all yrrM

(bolts again. On some boxes where the makers use shins, it will be necessary to remove the two • bolts holding bearing retainers and remove as many shins as necessary, and tighten the bolts down again. When doing any adjustments to the steering it is necessary to have the I two front wheels off the ground. After making the ‘ adjustment turn the wheels on to both locks to see that there are no parts where the steering binds. End play on the cross-shaft is taken up by an adjustment screw on the opposite side to the arm. Screw this in until the end play can just be J felt and lock with the nut again. I Mesh adjustment is provided for | in tw T o ways—an eccentric nut and I an eccentric bush. With the nut i type loosen off the four or five nuts holding the box cover and turn the J nut until there is no play in the steering wheel, and then slacken off slightly until the wheel just turns freely without bending. It is usually

found that there is one tight place where the wheels are straight ahead. This is perfectly natural as the worm gear is constructed so that when the wheels are straight ahead there is little or no play in the wheel. The eccentric nut is easily found, and looks like si double nut on the top bolt of the cover. While the eccentric bush type remove the lock-clip rand knock the bush around with a hammer and punch until the correct adjustment is secured. Caution. After loosening any bolt or nuts on the steering make sure that they are tight again. 1