Hi all, just bought my 1st rolla (ke20) n it has a lot of play in the steering. can turn the wheel nearly 2 inches before it actually engages the steering.

Just wondering if there is some sort of adjustment i can do, or if it requires reconditioning or need new steering column??

If it requires some reconditioning, what exactly do i need and can it be done with basic tools??

Sorry if this seems like a basic question to some, just never had to play around with steering before! :blush:

Thanks in advance!

What you have described sounds pretty normal for an old car with a steering box. (your corolla)

 

There is an adjustment you can do, but you have to do it right.

 

Jack the front of the car so the wheels are not touching the ground.

 

On top of the steering box is a small adjuster that takes a screwdriver, it also has a locknut on it.

 

loosen the locknut and screw the adjustment in a small amount,

 

steer the car lock to lock, taking careful note that the steering does not get any harder on full lock either way.

 

Repeat until this does start to happen, ie slightly harder on full lock,

 

then change back to previous adjustment when this did not happen. Tighten lock nut, job done.

Could it be something to do with the pitman arm? A friend of mine had sloppy steering and from memory it was something to do with the pitman arm, like a worn bush or something. I can't remember it very well though sorry.

^^Yes^^

 

Check the steering system out first, if it all checks out ok then do the box adjustment, I also suggest that you do a box lube change while you are at it so get some of this:

 

 

http://www.penriteoil.com.au/products/classic-car-oil/steering_box_lubricant

You'll have to go over all the joints and check each one.

 

The adjustment that Nissan talks about is needed bacause the two gears inside wear at the point they most touch, the 'straight ahead' position. The screw pushes one gear against the other to take up that slack, but then it is too tight when you move them off the straight-ahead position & they jam. Jack under the LCAs so the front suspension droops as little as possible and both front wheels are just up in the air.

 

On top of that the gears wear in their bearings, the pitman arm wears and the balljoints all wear, including the outer tierod ends. While you ahve the car up stick a screwdriver in between each join and lever it up and down. If a rubber is split check carefully as the loss of grease leads to wear and failure.

 

Two inches is far too much, youy should get it down to half an inch.

You guys are awesome!! such a quick response and it sounds like you actually no what your talking about!!

So....i'll check all the joint's 1st, make adjustment as described above, and advised to do a box lube change!

Sounds like a plan!

 

What is involved with the box lube change? is there just a drain plug and fill from top set up? or is it more involved??

 

Will prob get a chance on the weekend to have a play around, will let you no the cause!

Glad u reckon i can get it down to half inch! was hopin it wasn't a characteristic of this type of set up!!

Thanks again every1! :yes:

What is involved with the box lube change? is there just a drain plug and fill from top set up? or is it more involved??

 

It should have a drain on it but not 100% sure as I don't know ke20's too well.

you fill it with ep80w,

 

fill it till the oil covers the top of the gears

 

nfi on a drian plug

sweet will check that when i check the steering n let others no if there is a drain plug or not :wink:

I had a look at one I have here out of the car. No drain plug. There is no facility to drain the oil with the steering column in the car. Also checked the factory manual.

 

Possibly you could take out the adjustment cam and get inventive with a syringe and some plastic tube, but would be hard to aspirate it with that grade of oil.

Yeah some you have to take the top plate off and scoop it out.

yeah, looked at mine and its the same as you have explained!.maybe when i swap my engine out, mite pull that out too and do it then!!

Adjusted my steering and its awesome! so much better! thanks again. looked at my steering bushes and they look pretty old, so mite just replace them all anyways!

Be a bit wary about doing too much with the steering box.

 

There are a few seals and so on in there, you will really struggle to source.

 

Concentrate on your bushings, tierods etc first

when my Val had 1/4 of slack in the steering, I rebuilt the front steering. Bushes, tierod ends, pitman/idler arm, ball joints upper/lower.

 

Steering was tight as a tiger afterwards. Still drives like a cloud but its expected from the Val.

Edited March 8, 201115 yr by EnjoyAUS

when my Val had 1/4 of slack in the steering, I rebuilt the front steering. Bushes, tierod ends, pitman/idler arm, ball joints upper/lower.

 

Steering was tight as a tiger afterwards. Still drives like a cloud but its expected from the Val.

 

Thats def the next plan!! always want just a bit better!