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<p>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:</p>
- 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.<br>
- check steering box and idler mounting bolts<br>
- 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.<br>
- 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<br>
- 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.<br>
- 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. <br>
<p>Nice car, BTW.</p>
<p>Bob<br>
</p>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 3/28/2018 12:57 AM,
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com">simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com</a> wrote:<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Car
looks great. I like that colour scheme, (having opted for it
myself).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US">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 <i>needs</i> to be done rather than what <i>might</i>
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. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Good
luck with it anyway,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Simon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">From:</span></b><span
lang="EN-US"> Healeys
[<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="mailto:healeys-bounces@autox.team.net">mailto:healeys-bounces@autox.team.net</a>] <b>On Behalf Of
</b>Chris Scholz<br>
<b>Sent:</b> 28 March 2018 05:15<br>
<b>To:</b> <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net">healeys@autox.team.net</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Healeys] 1959 100-6 -play in the
steering.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<div id="AppleMailSignature">
<p class="MsoNormal">Sent from my iPhone <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Chris Scholz OD<o:p></o:p></p>
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