DIY cock up - steering box 2.8 Pajero

[Casper1441]

OK you can chastise after but if I tell you what I have done from the start hopefully somebody can help.

2.8 Pajero - 1993

There was some initial play in the steering box so I loosened the lock nut then turned the adjusting screw about 1/2 a turn and locked up again.

The steering was worse then ever and had become notchy, not too bad at a low manouvering speed but unsafe over about 40 as any move made the car twitch.

I tried to loosen the the adjusting screw back to where it was before but it would not move.

I removed the additional 4 bolts that surround the adjusting screw to see if I could remove the top cover and see why. I made the mistake of turning the wheel at this point and loads of fluid sprayed everywhere. As a result the steering was really heavy.

Put the bolts back in and checked the power steering fluid reservoir, it needed topping.

Topped up but now the stsyem grates/squeels when the steering moved. Equally noisy left or right.


Anybody help? 

[ANDREW]

the steering pump will squeel  if the fluids been remove, start the motor and move the steering wheel from side to side, and topping up the reservor,  sounds like all the fluid isnt back in the pump yet,it does take a bit of time,  dont forget to jack the front up when tightening up on the box,

[Mudlark]

As Andrew has said for the squealing — you'll probably need to put more PAS fluid in as well as you go.

What you have managed to do with the adjuster is over tighten. The shape of the plate that the adjuster bolt sits on looks very much like a top lip — a cupid's bow — when driving a straight line the adjuster bolt its in the centre dimple as you turn the wheel the bolt rubs over the bump to the cut away section to allow free turning. by over-tightening you have emphasized this feature.

Make sure your front end is on axle stands for the next bit

To slacken off the adjuster bolt turn your steering to a fullish lock and then undo it should now undo, if it is still tight get someone to move the steering about half a turn as you try to undo the bolt.

Once you have freed it off gradually tighten the bolt checking the steering as you do until it feels right.

put the front end back down on the ground and check the free play in the steering, if there is still some there tighten the bolt a tiny bit more and check the free play again — repeat until right.

[Casper1441]

Big thank you Guys........... Perfect now ! [size=10pt][/size]

[ANDREW]

great news