Post by bent8rover on Apr 18, 2017 15:07:02 GMT
[Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:52 pm]
Right, now everyone else's cars are working, i can start on my own....
This winters improvement project is to sort the steering on the Dolomite. Ive never been happy with it, it has about 2" of play at the wheel, as well as a shudder you can feel through the wheel if you hit a bump at the wrong angle..
It was not till my friend Ben, who has a 1500 FWD, mentioned he had replaced the bushes in his steering coupling that i realised i had never touched mine... Embarassed
Under close examination, yep, it was shot.
I pulled the steering rack off - you can do it without, but it seemed just as easy, and will give me a chance to clean and check the rack over while its off. I also decided to replace the rubber bush that supports the bottom of the steering column - this is a notorious Dolomite fault, and although mine had no play it seemed silly not to change it for a poly one while I had easy access.
Steering rack off. Beside it is the intermediate shaft, it has a UJ at one end, and a rubber damped coupling at the other. The rubbers in this have gone soft, causing the play.
Column support plate. The rubber bush in the centre supports the steering column as it passes through the bulkhead. Normally they wear away, mine had not, but it was extremely hard and not very rubbery! Could be the cause of the noise? You dont have to take the plate off to change the rubber, but its only 4 easy bolts, and...
... it means i can clean and repaint the rather tatty plate. Here it is after a chemical bath.
Right, now everyone else's cars are working, i can start on my own....
This winters improvement project is to sort the steering on the Dolomite. Ive never been happy with it, it has about 2" of play at the wheel, as well as a shudder you can feel through the wheel if you hit a bump at the wrong angle..
It was not till my friend Ben, who has a 1500 FWD, mentioned he had replaced the bushes in his steering coupling that i realised i had never touched mine... Embarassed
Under close examination, yep, it was shot.
I pulled the steering rack off - you can do it without, but it seemed just as easy, and will give me a chance to clean and check the rack over while its off. I also decided to replace the rubber bush that supports the bottom of the steering column - this is a notorious Dolomite fault, and although mine had no play it seemed silly not to change it for a poly one while I had easy access.
Steering rack off. Beside it is the intermediate shaft, it has a UJ at one end, and a rubber damped coupling at the other. The rubbers in this have gone soft, causing the play.
Column support plate. The rubber bush in the centre supports the steering column as it passes through the bulkhead. Normally they wear away, mine had not, but it was extremely hard and not very rubbery! Could be the cause of the noise? You dont have to take the plate off to change the rubber, but its only 4 easy bolts, and...
... it means i can clean and repaint the rather tatty plate. Here it is after a chemical bath.
[Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 9:08 pm ]
Bulkhead plate sprayed black, and new bush fitted. It is the correct way round, though there is some debate on the Dolomite forum as to the right way to install it...
Intermediate shaft stripped, ready for new bushes.
Rebuilt coupling and shaft
Bulkhead plate and shaft refitted to the car.
Ive had a good look at the steering rack, its perfectly ok, but i think a coat of paint is in order before it goes back on the car (bet your all surprised...) So thats the next job.
Bulkhead plate sprayed black, and new bush fitted. It is the correct way round, though there is some debate on the Dolomite forum as to the right way to install it...
Intermediate shaft stripped, ready for new bushes.
Rebuilt coupling and shaft
Bulkhead plate and shaft refitted to the car.
Ive had a good look at the steering rack, its perfectly ok, but i think a coat of paint is in order before it goes back on the car (bet your all surprised...) So thats the next job.
[Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 8:46 pm]
Steering rack painted.
Its back on the car, no pictures as yet as im still removing the grease from my hands
Steering rack painted.
Its back on the car, no pictures as yet as im still removing the grease from my hands
[Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 4:46 pm]
Steering wheel ended up slightly off-centre, so i adjusted it on the track rods. They are now more equal in length than they were before so thats a bonus.
I then dug out one of my favourite tools, the wonderful Trackrite, and reset the wheel alignment, before a road test. The steering is so much better!
Ive also spotted where the leak is from the Autobox so i guess thats the next job....
Steering wheel ended up slightly off-centre, so i adjusted it on the track rods. They are now more equal in length than they were before so thats a bonus.
I then dug out one of my favourite tools, the wonderful Trackrite, and reset the wheel alignment, before a road test. The steering is so much better!
Ive also spotted where the leak is from the Autobox so i guess thats the next job....
[Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 4:45 pm]
The leak is the gearbox sump gasket - ive replaced the cork gasket before, and it has not lasted. Ive ordered all rubber gasket from Wins International which is supposed to be much better, so fingers crossed.
The leak is the gearbox sump gasket - ive replaced the cork gasket before, and it has not lasted. Ive ordered all rubber gasket from Wins International which is supposed to be much better, so fingers crossed.
, 2016 11:43 am]