help with steering

[blueRA40]

Hey all well I got the RA40 on the road over the weekend took it for a wrap around the block and something didnt feel right....

when I turn the first corner and let go of the steering wheel it wouldnt self center like it used to I had to turn it back to center myself.

The steering didnt feel stiff but when I got it home I put it on the stands and I couldnt turn the wheels by hand frim the rim.

My ?? is shoud I be able to rotate the steering by pulling on the wheels and how can I fix it, I thought of undoing the nut on the manual steering box and loosning it there but I didnt tuch the steering box when I took the steering off.

Any help would be great
Bevan

[thechuckster]

re-check your recent work - you should be able to turn the wheels with the car on stands.

even mine with stupid amounts of castor and shitty rubber will self-centre.

[PULSE]

From my knowledge of what I've read surrounding this topic, usually when steering wont self centre its because of the nut on the steering box being too tight, though from what I've heard you should be careful about how much you loosen it, it shouldn't need much. Basically because its too tight, its too hard for you to turn the wheels by hand. and its also too hard for the car to self centre, but by using the steering wheel you have more leverage and are able to turn it. I'm pretty sure if you loosen it too much you will get free play in steering, where there is a section that if you turn steering wheel, the wheels dont start turning until you hit a certain point.

Cheers, Matt

[blueRA40]

Thanks guys ill give it a go and let you know what happens

[MWP]

Yeah, it does sound like the adjusting screw is too tight.

Too loose = lots of play in steering
Too tight = steering box will wear out in no time

[79GT]

i wil reinforce the comment about overtightening destroys the box quick as.
had to replace mine with an ra28 box. it was well tight, and clunked and whined when driving....not a nice feeling that is for sure. be warned