7 Tooth steering box tip .
 

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 .

Re: 7 Tooth steering box tip .
 

Very clever, wish I knew that before I went to an F100 box.

Re: 7 Tooth steering box tip .
 

Hey John, Great tip. Thanks.

Re: 7 Tooth steering box tip .
 

Makes sense to me!
BTW, I use eccentric bushes for the sector shaft to get zero play when I assemble a 7 tooth steering box. I think a similar result could be achieved if the bushes could be moved after assembly, but they are not.

Re: 7 Tooth steering box tip .
 

Hi Synchro ,In the past RHD 7 tooth steering box parts were not available . My local specialist did an exchange service . The sector shaft was turned down to true and an eccentric bush made to suit .This was machined to a slip fit in the housing and rotated to adjust then locked with "Locktite" As RHD parts are now available they do not offer the service anymore as no need .

John in very cold not like you !!! Suffolk County England .

Re: 7 Tooth steering box tip .
 

John, I fully understand how the RHD parts supply is intermittent, if you can get them at all. I use eccentric bushes as a matter of course to get the best possible fit. The last set of 7 tooth gears I bought from Sammy were excellent. I'm sure they would have been fine with ordinary bushes.
Your solution would be OK but did it get tight once you were off the straight ahead position?

Re: 7 Tooth steering box tip .
 

Hi Synchro . On the few I have done they have worked just fine no tightness lock to lock .

John in same weather locked down Suffolk County England .

Re: 7 Tooth steering box tip .
 

..... Rotate the steering wheel a true half turn and tap the sector back into engagement......

Does it make any difference which way you turn the steering wheel?

Re: 7 Tooth steering box tip .
 

A half turn either way it makes no difference .

John in windy storm "Cristoph" Suffolk County England .