Depends on what you mean by 'some play.'? Healey steering boxes are old
school worm and peg 'technology.'? There is usually a little play in the
steering wheel; about an inch side-to-side at the outer rim of the
steering wheel is typical/acceptable, and this is evident at a stop and
at all speeds.? You can tighten the adjustable 'thrust bolt' only to a
point, beyond which the worm and peg may bind and the wheel will not
return to center.? There is also the notorious 'scuttle shake,' which is
a resonant vibration usually around 55-60MPH, esp. on rough roads (this
is due to chassis resonance, not steering).? Properly set up, a Big
Healey should track fairly straight on a straight, flat road, but if
your car wanders excessively or has any erratic vibrations or jerkiness
it should be investigated.? Some things to look for:
- side-to-side play on the steering rocker shaft; there is a bronze bush
at the bottom of the box that can wear.? Same with the idler.
- check steering box and idler mounting bolts
- were the tie rod ends in good nick?? I think the earlier cars had
grease fittings; if they weren't properly serviced they would have worn.
- the king pins have bushes at the top and bottom trunnions.? Check by
getting the front end A-arms up on jackstands, grabbing the tire/wheel
at the top and bottom and trying to move the wheel back-and-forth vertically
- the front shocks are also, of course, the top of the front
suspension.? The upper A-arms are mounted to a shaft in the shock that
also has bushes; if they're worn you'd probably get some vibration or
wobble.? I think you can check that by removing the wheel and trying to
move the upper suspension side-to-side and front-to-back.? Shocks can be
rebuilt.
- wheel/tire balance and true.? Wire wheels can easily go 'out of
true.'? This can contribute to scuttle shake and other vibrations. It
appears you have 48-spoke wheels; though correct for your car, if you
intend to do much, um, 'spirited' driving you may break some spokes.
Nice car, BTW.
Bob
On 3/28/2018 12:57 AM, simon.lachlan at alexarevel.plus.com wrote:
>
> Car looks great. I like that colour scheme, (having opted for it myself).
>
> If the thing is up and running, as it appears to be, I?d leave it
> alone for a while??.run it around/use it and discover what /needs/ to
> be done rather than what /might/ need to be done. I wouldn?t replace
> anything ? for the sake of it?. Yes, I?d say that there are some
> things which would be replaced automatically?..all the rubber in the
> brake system etc. But otherwise, suck it and see. These days, there?s
> a chance that the things you replace are better made and would last
> longer than their modern replacements.
>
> Good luck with it anyway,
>
> Simon
>
> *From:*Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] *On Behalf Of
> *Chris Scholz
> *Sent:* 28 March 2018 05:15
> *To:* healeys at autox.team.net
> *Subject:* [Healeys] 1959 100-6 -play in the steering.
>
>
>
> I have been restoring my BN4 and most everything has been updated
> except the shocks, kingpins, and steering components. ?There is some
> play in the steering at highway speeds. ?I have tightened the set
> screw in the gearbox which has helped. ?Any suggestions on which
> components to replace next? ?The kingpins seem tight. ?Working on the
> tie rods, etc is new stuff for me. ?Thanks.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> Chris Scholz OD
>
>
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