Steering column

[cords]

yep robert at bedford manor is still trading was up there 2 weeks ago give him a call on 0402989175 top bloke only to happy to help tell him Gav from sydney said hi

[BusyKiwi]

I take it you've checked the oil in the column.

Have you had the top off? (where it connects to the column), there are shims in there that can grind away or bind if no oil, also from not being adjusted correctly. check that bearing first

[Sweet Shock]

I changed the bearing and replaced the shims as for the adjustment i put it back the way it came out, Can you adjust it with it on the van or do i have to take it off again, and how hard is it to adjust it. I have spare shims    pete

[BusyKiwi]

Basically it needs to have a bit of play, a couple of thou.

The haynes bedford manual might tell/show how, I don't have one handy to check

[Sweet Shock]

I have a Question. I have adjusted my rack according to the book, but it seems tight, If I grab by the inner tierod I can move the rack with a bit of effort back and fourth. With other beddy racks I can move them quite freely. I used a fish scale (Spring balance) to get about 10lb. Any tighter and I cant move it. Does this sound right??  Also the rack is not on the beddy.

[Sweet Shock]

My mistake again. Dam new scanner

[BusyKiwi]

10lb would be just tight with a ratchet

They should be a bit tight, you shouldn't be able to push the tie rod arm to move the steering from lock to lock very easily by hand.
Bolt it up to the beam but don't connect the tie rods or steering column and try again. using the tie rod, push from lock to lock - getting started should be a bit hard but once going you should be able to get full travel. If thats good, bolt up your steering column and go lock to lock via the steering wheel, it should be a smooth motion from lock to lock.
If thats good, undo steering column, do your tie rods up, get the wheel pointing as straight as you can then align steering wheel when you bolt up the column (that is easier with 2 people

[Sweet Shock]

Yea what your saying sounds about right, Turns fine with a spanner. It says 10 to  20lb, You would think 20lb would be pretty tight, Ill try mine at 10 lb. If I back off the preload yolk it gets easyer so I could always add another shim when Ive put the rack back on, thanx  Busykiwi         Pete