408 Marles Steering Problem

[dwomby]

I have the steering box out. It was fine while in the car but now it still turns smoothly at the two extremes but around the center of its rotation, it grinds and sometimes binds up. I drained the old oil (all 3 ounces that came out which may be a contributing factor) and filled with fresh (0.5 UK pints SAE90) but no improvement. I think I will have to open the box up. Any advice or guidance before I start, please?

David

[David C]

It looks as though a company at marlessteeringbox.com can supply a rebuild kit. Worth asking them if they have overhaul instructions.

[dwomby]

Originally Posted by David C

It looks as though a company at marlessteeringbox.com can supply a rebuild kit. Worth asking them if they have overhaul instructions.

Thanks. I have emailed them.

David

[dwomby]

I tried to take the top off the steering box this morning but couldn't as I still have the drop arm on the steering box and when I lifted the top, the whole spindle carrying that drop arm lifted with it!!!!!

I am reluctant to remove the drop arm and lift the top off because if that spindle comes out with the top, will I be able to put it back in. Anyway, what I did do was loosen the adjuster and it made things quieter and easier.

So here are two videos. In the first you can hear the rubbing/grinding noise. In the second, the noise and stiffness is less after loosening the adjuster screw. Obviously something is still wrong inside there.

1 of 2

2 of 2

Loosening the adjuster did not seem to add play in the parts. Does that give anybody any ideas? I suppose the drop arm will have to come off and the top be lifted but I am waiting to contact the marlessteering.com owner for his advice before I do that.

David
--

[dwomby]

This is odd. A friend suggested I try operating the steering box via its input shaft instead of pulling on the drop arm and operating the box from the output shaft. results: practically perfectly smooth and quiet!

His theory is that there is wear in the components and when operating them from the output side, the wear is rough edged but it has been worn smooth on the input side. Any thoughts?

David

[AndrewA]

If there's no untoward play I'd leave it!

[dwomby]

Thanks, Andrew. That does seem to be the consensus so that's the plan when I get the subframe back from the welder!!!

I leave to spend Summer in Canada in 2 weeks. This may not get done before then in which case it will be Autumn before I know if all's OK.

David

[AndrewA]

Have a good break from it! That said, you seem to have accomplished a lot in a relatively short space of time but I bet it doesn't always feel like that.
Cheers
Andrew