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Steering Wheel Play

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Guest

Guest
Hello all
Good to see Steve getting his steering sorted for Nepal.
I recently got rammed in the front passenger side wheel by a fiat Uno. The Fiat was written off as it bounced off and hit a tree. Thankfully the 17 year old was OK. She was looking at a horse in a field and ran through a T junction. If she hadn't hit me she would have gone into the canal!
Anyway - The Uno actually hit my tyre, so no major damage done. The only noticeable side effect was the steering alignment was off.
I got it fixed but there seems to be more play on the steering wheel than before. Its about to go back to the garage to get a "diagnosis" as to the cause - and hopefully fixed.
Hayes manual stipulates a quarter of 1 inch play as acceptable. I've got about 2.5 inches - it makes the steering feel jumpy.
Could the impact have damaged the steering box? I'd like some ammunition for the garage man when he says "it's just an old Jeep, you have to accept that there will be a bit of play on the wheel".
Any insight appreciated
Thanks
Niall
HDJ 81, + ARB WB + Roof Rack + Rack Spots + 2.5" Lift + bits for Africa + 2.5" Steering Play + Uno Paint on front tyre
 
Niall
This happened exactly to me - wasn't a dark blue uno was it...?
Had steering wheel play since this time - she hit the front passenger side
wheel full on - On the mobile to her mum they were having an argument,
supposedly...right of! AND she had pointy-toed high-heels on - said her
brakes failed...yeah right! 'Tis true, it was a little damp on the road that
day, she was shaken and stirred, very upset but not hurt - spent half an
hour or more consoling her, rang her AA cover people as she wasn't able to
do it. All she could think of was "oh s**t! What do I tell my boyfriend?"
My mistake? - I could have claimed on her insurance and had new front wheel
and tyres and everything...but I didn't have the heart. I felt sorry for
her.
I got a little glass in my wheel but was able to eke it out with a small
screwdriver, so no damage to me apart from the steering wheel play - which
came on a day or so later before I noticed it.
I've got about two inch of play but haven't had it sorted yet...The steering
is smooth and not at all jumpy so I was probably let off lightly...
As a matter of interest, how much did it cost you? Would any friendly
garage mechanic do it for me? if so, I have one in mind, but I've still got
to get the autogearbox 'remanufactured' seems it isn't a question of
reconditioning it, the reverse clutch and other bits will have to be
replaced 'cos its worn..."how do you drive it?" he asked. I said
"hard...probably why its bust"..
Cheers
Renate
-----Original Message-----
From: [Email address removed]
[mailto:[Email address removed]]On Behalf Of Niall Sommers
Sent: 07 September 2006 13:10
To: [Email address removed]
Subject: [ELCO] Steering Wheel Play
Hello all
Good to see Steve getting his steering sorted for Nepal.
I recently got rammed in the front passenger side wheel by a fiat Uno. The
Fiat was written off as it bounced off and hit a tree. Thankfully the 17
year old was OK. She was looking at a horse in a field and ran through a T
junction. If she hadn't hit me she would have gone into the canal!
Anyway - The Uno actually hit my tyre, so no major damage done. The only
noticeable side effect was the steering alignment was off.
I got it fixed but there seems to be more play on the steering wheel than
before. Its about to go back to the garage to get a "diagnosis" as to the
cause - and hopefully fixed.
Hayes manual stipulates a quarter of 1 inch play as acceptable. I've got
about 2.5 inches - it makes the steering feel jumpy.
Could the impact have damaged the steering box? I'd like some ammunition for
the garage man when he says "it's just an old Jeep, you have to accept that
there will be a bit of play on the wheel".
Any insight appreciated
Thanks
Niall
HDJ 81, + ARB WB + Roof Rack + Rack Spots + 2.5" Lift + bits for Africa +
2.5" Steering Play + Uno Paint on front tyre
 
Renate
Pesky little uno's eh! Swat them like flies i say!
Didn't cost me anything - her insurance is coughing up - the tears and what am I going to tell my boyfriend routine didn't have any effect on me.
Will talk auto gear boxes on a different "stream" or whatever it's called
Cheers
Niall
HDJ 81, + ARB WB + Roof Rack + Rack Spots + 2.5" Lift + bits for Africa +
2.5" Steering Play + Uno Paint on front tyre
 
Niall
Now how many times have I failed to get recompense! too many to count -
methinks be a lot harder on them from now on - well, they are on me...
Hope your beast will be okay soon
I'm just awaiting the next Fiat Uno 'impact' - I need the money yer'see!
cheers
Renate
-----Original Message-----
From: [Email address removed]
[mailto:[Email address removed]]On Behalf Of Niall Sommers
Sent: 07 September 2006 14:51
To: [Email address removed]
Subject: RE: [ELCO] Steering Wheel Play
Renate
Pesky little uno's eh! Swat them like flies i say!
Didn't cost me anything - her insurance is coughing up - the tears and what
am I going to tell my boyfriend routine didn't have any effect on me.
Will talk auto gear boxes on a different "stream" or whatever it's called
Cheers
Niall
HDJ 81, + ARB WB + Roof Rack + Rack Spots + 2.5" Lift + bits for Africa +
2.5" Steering Play + Uno Paint on front tyre
 
Hi Niall,
Sound just like what Steve has gone through although his symptoms were
more severe.
I would check:
tracking
looseness in steering knuckle
looseness in wheel bearing
Tie rod ends
If they are all OK, then you may well be right about the problem being
the steering box.
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
Mobile: 07971 540362
Skype: julianvoelcker
Cirencester, United Kingdom
1994 HDJ80, 2.5" OME Lift
 
Thanks Julian
Wheel Bearings & tie rod ends just replaced & tracking done
So looks like knuckle or steering box
Cheers
Niall
 
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Believe MOT test stipulates a particular degree of play as allowable at the
steering wheel, believe it is quoted in inches and there are two figures
depending on steering wheel diameter.
Malcolm Bagley
Stafford, UK
1975 FJ45 Pickup (In Work)
_______________________________
"it's just an old Jeep, you have to accept that there will be a bit of play
on the wheel".
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Niall link to a document that might help although if you steering is not
rack and pinion 75mm, 3 inches is OK!
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_220.htm
Malcolm Bagley
Stafford, UK
1975 FJ45 Pickup (In Work)
_______________________________
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Thanks again Malcolm
Does anyone know if the 80's are rack and pinion - or not
a.) 75mm for non rack and pinion
b.) 13mm for rack and pinion steering.
c.) Where there are several joints between the steering wheel and the rack, movement up to 48mm on a 380mm diameter wheel may be accepted.
......It is the intention of the contract of insurance to place the Insured in the same position he was in before the loss occurred i.e. "to be indemnified".
In my case I want to be back to a position of no steering play
Cheers
Niall
 
Hi Niall,
Not Rack and Pinion - usually only found on cars with independant front
suspension.
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
Mobile: 07971 540362
Skype: julianvoelcker
Cirencester, United Kingdom
1994 HDJ80, 2.5" OME Lift
 
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