7 Tooth steering box tip .

[john charlton]

There is a quick tip to decrease steering box lash in the dead ahead position . In RHD cars there is good access to the box but in LHD cars the starter motor could present access problems but I dont think so .
Put the steering wheel in the dead ahead position . Remove the Pitman arm . Remove the three bolt triangular cover plate . Depending what lube is in the box watch out for a lube spill and take suitable precautions . Gently tap the sector shaft inwards until the sector clears the worm .Note the sector position keep it like that .Rotate the steering wheel a true half turn and tap the sector back into engagement . Pack the box with whatever lube you prefer and bolt the cover plate back on if the paper gasket is OK if not renew . Replace the Pitman arm .The worm is "double start" and now the sector is meshed with what was the less worn other side of the worm . The trade off is that there will be more lash when the steering wheel is half a turn away from dead ahead but the Ackerman geometry will load against lash so you in practise should not find any difference . I dont think I would be the first to pass this tip on so you might find no improvement this means a previous owner has beaten you to it . In some cases it does remove appreciable ahead lash and it is quick (and cheap) to do !!!

John still very locked down in Suffolk County England .