[Healeys] Steering question

[josef-eckert at t-online.de]

Could be loose shock bolts.

Josef Eckert

 

-----Original-Nachricht-----

Betreff: [Healeys] Steering question

Datum: 2015-12-28T20:24:24+0100

Von: "Michael Oritt" <michael.oritt at gmail.com>

An: "Austin Healey" <healeys at autox.team.net>

 

 

 

I have a December, 1954 100.  
 
My wife and I went out for an extended ride yesterday. She drove first and 
though she does not have much experience with the car she is a quick study 
and good thinker. After she had driven for perhaps 20 miles she commented 
that the steering seemed go be "wandering" and required constant small 
adjustments to keep the car going straight. She felt that the condition did 
not start until after we had been driving for a while. I did not say 
anything and thought to myself that she simply was not used to the car. 
 
After about 50 miles we switched and--whether or not it was because of her 
comment--I noticed that the car did in fact want to wander and I had to 
stay on top of keeping the car from veering ever so slightly from left or 
right of center. The situation remained the same for the balance of the 
trip--about 150 or so miles in all till we came home.

Whether or not this is relevant--once the wheel is turned to set up for a 
turn everything seems fine and the car holds a steady track through the 
turn. It was only when the wheels were straight ahead that the issue 
presented.

I decided to address this today and with the car in the garage I find that 
there is virtually no play whatsoever in the steering--perhaps 1/2" or 
less--whether the front wheels are on or off the ground. 
 
The "adjustment" procedure described in the manual for "later" 100's simply 
tells me to loosen the lock nut, remove the cover plate and tighten down 
the adjusting screw to remove play.  I am not finding a lot of play--again 
1/2" or less-whether the car is on the ground or in the air--except when we 
are rolling.
 
I have, btw, checked for loose front wheel bearings by trying to wiggle the 
front wheels both from side to side and back and forth and everything feels 
just right.  Also I have observed the steering linkage from underneath and 
when I push the wheels from lock to lock I see no looseness, etc. in the 
end ball joints or the steering tie rods.
 
Suggestions will be appreciated....
 
Best--Michael Oritt

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://autox.team.net/pipermail/healeys/attachments/20151228/431a866e/attachment.html>