[Healeys] Steering question

[richard mayor]

Michael,

I second Bob's suggestion. If you have no leaks then use 80W-90 gear oil. I
believe that is what the factory manual recommends and that is what I use
in my race car.

The wandering can definitely be caused by to much toe-out.  It's hard to
check toe without a decent fixture. You could just sneak up on it by
marking the center rod so you know your starting point. Then loosen each
end and rotate the center rod one quarter turn in the direction that pulls
the wheels toward toe-in. Snug up the ends but not too tight at this point
and go for a test drive. Repeat if necessary. When it feels right, snug the
ends up a bit more and you're golden. Remember, one end is left hand thread
and the other is right hand thread.

Richard

On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 11:23 AM, Michael Oritt <michael.oritt at gmail.com>
wrote:

> 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​
>
> ​
>
>
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