Play in steering, idler arm ?

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stinka

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Feb 1, 2012
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Found a good 1/4 inch play in steering, its not in ball joints, link seems ok, steering box is fine but it looked like the idler arm was moving up and down

Do these wear then ?? I presume the bush can wear out inside or is it a double bearing affair ?
 
Found a good 1/4 inch play in steering, its not in ball joints, link seems ok, steering box is fine but it looked like the idler arm was moving up and down

Do these wear then ?? I presume the bush can wear out inside or is it a double bearing affair ?

Only 1/4 inch?

I would say mine is 1 inch play (at the steering wheel)

It is the worst I've ever had in a vehicle. As it passed the MOT recently I assumed that it must be within tolerences.

I would like to know what play other owners have and if I need to look at mine?
 
My 1/4 inch is when i move a front wheel from side to side and its seen as up and down movement in the steering idler
 
The steering idler is a bush not a bearing and yes they do wear but watch very carefully as somebody else moves the steering wheel. You may see that the play is in fact a twisting motion in the "steering relay centre rod", the link that goes across the car to the steering box.
The way the linkage is designed it's inevitable that the twisting will cause some apparent free play.
With this type of steering, ie none rack and pinion, the MOT rules state that up to 75mm, about 3", of play at the rim of a 380 mm diameter steering wheel is acceptable.
Peter
 
The steering idler is a bush not a bearing and yes they do wear but watch very carefully as somebody else moves the steering wheel. You may see that the play is in fact a twisting motion in the "steering relay centre rod", the link that goes across the car to the steering box.
The way the linkage is designed it's inevitable that the twisting will cause some apparent free play.
With this type of steering, ie none rack and pinion, the MOT rules state that up to 75mm, about 3", of play at the rim of a 380 mm diameter steering wheel is acceptable.
Peter

Christ thats a fair bit :D

Steering boxes are adjustable anyhow but mine is ok, so like you say might be fine for a few years
 
Steering boxes are pretty bomb proof BUT the steering idlers are made of toffee. OK ish for the road but put bighger tyres on and go off road and you get what you've got stinky :eek:
New bushes will fix it for a while but with your style driving bin it :lol
Buy my system it's the best :D
 
Steering boxes are pretty bomb proof BUT the steering idlers are made of toffee. OK ish for the road but put bighger tyres on and go off road and you get what you've got stinky :eek:
New bushes will fix it for a while but with your style driving bin it :lol
Buy my system it's the best :D

I would mate, I'd love to buy one of your modded boxes BUT I'm skint at the moment due to work died on its arse again, still not replaced my water pump, still not bought my new maf, etc etc

I can get a box, there's 3 at the scrappy do you just cut out all the internals and reseal ?
 
I would mate, I'd love to buy one of your modded boxes BUT I'm skint at the moment due to work died on its arse again, still not replaced my water pump, still not bought my new maf, etc etc

I can get a box, there's 3 at the scrappy do you just cut out all the internals and reseal ?

Yes essentially, I've got some pics somewhere. I'll put them up later for you.:thumb2
 
No worries :thumbs
I can get bushes made if you want in the short term, let us know.
They were about 5 quid each last time ;)
 
I know of a scrapper I can probably get one off mega cheap. Hmmm
 

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