General: - Steering Box - really stiff - no need to go to the Gym!

p1800 · Dec 3rd, 2015, 17:50

Hi everyone

Any advice on steering boxes?

My p1800 has been on and off the road in recent years. But you get used to how it performs. Recently a garage said to me that they used to have a reputation for great steering

Well mine needs muscles like Charles Atlas to attempt a three point turn these days.

Is there any maintenance that should be done / adjustment that can be done?
Is it a DIY job or a serious project ?
Is it the sort of component thats best to swap with a refurb unit?

Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks

classicswede · Dec 3rd, 2015, 18:47

A common cause of a tight steering box is where the adjuster has been over tightened to try and make the steering feel like a steering rack. There should be some side to side play in the steering wheel before the wheels start to turn.

Other common problems especially on cars not in daily use is the steering joints going stiff and the same with the ball joints.

Derek UK · Dec 4th, 2015, 11:53

I agree with Dai's comments but if your steering is light and easy above about 5 - 8 mph and self centres well it's probably OK. 3 point turns can be hard work especially if there is some road camber. The way the pitman and idler arms flops over reduces the leverage you have, just part of the design. If you have another car I'm sure it has power steering so the contrast is much more obvious.

woodman · Dec 5th, 2015, 22:32

If it's the same as the Amazon then the excellent turning circle is certainly a wonderful thing.

I've recently replaced my steering box and I have the old unit plus a bush and gasket kit for it. We've had the box apart and it's in good condition apart from the bottom bush - if it's the same assembly as you need for the P1800 then I could sell it to you as a refurbished unit. However other people on this forum know all the differences between Amazon and P1800.

Before you do anything, though, I'd check your tyres. If the pressure is even just a bit low, it makes the steering a lot heavier. I do a lot of town driving and with my tyres at around 30-32 psi I find steering easy except in the tightest spots. The trick, of course, is always to be rolling when you steer - power steering has made people lazy about this, but it's fundamental and massively reduces wear and tear.

Volvorama · Dec 6th, 2015, 22:41

My ex-California 144S had jammed steering joints and a very stiff steering idler, so check that too. The steering box was ok.

p1800 · Jan 12th, 2016, 17:20

Thanks for the advice. I cleaned and greased everything in sight and its made the world of difference.

amazon69 · Jan 12th, 2016, 20:39

I put some of this stuff in my steering box after hearing rave reviews of it in a magazine of mine…it's semi fluid grease, and it's magic. I had a continued seep from mine with normal oil and this stuff stopped that and lubricates it really well. One 500ml bottle is just about perfect.

arcturus · Jan 13th, 2016, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by amazon69

I put some of this stuff in my steering box after hearing rave reviews of it in a magazine of mine…it's semi fluid grease, and it's magic. I had a continued seep from mine with normal oil and this stuff stopped that and lubricates it really well. One 500ml bottle is just about perfect.

Just how "semi fluid" is it. Can you pour it in like normal oil?

amazon69 · Jan 13th, 2016, 17:28

Not quite, it is quite gloopy…I put it in a grease gun and pushed it in that way.

classicswede · Jan 13th, 2016, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by p1800

Thanks for the advice. I cleaned and greased everything in sight and its made the world of difference.

Looks like the gym will be taking your membership money after all then

Dec 3rd, 2015, 17:50	#1
p1800 P1800-its all going well! Last Online: Jul 8th, 2023 09:13 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Manchester	Steering Box - really stiff - no need to go to the Gym! Hi everyone Any advice on steering boxes? My p1800 has been on and off the road in recent years. But you get used to how it performs. Recently a garage said to me that they used to have a reputation for great steering Well mine needs muscles like Charles Atlas to attempt a three point turn these days. Is there any maintenance that should be done / adjustment that can be done? Is it a DIY job or a serious project ? Is it the sort of component thats best to swap with a refurb unit? Any advice would be welcome. Thanks

Dec 3rd, 2015, 18:47	#2
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Yesterday 22:24 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	A common cause of a tight steering box is where the adjuster has been over tightened to try and make the steering feel like a steering rack. There should be some side to side play in the steering wheel before the wheels start to turn. Other common problems especially on cars not in daily use is the steering joints going stiff and the same with the ball joints. __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Dec 5th, 2015, 22:32	#4
woodman Master Member Last Online: Mar 10th, 2023 13:03 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sheffield	If it's the same as the Amazon then the excellent turning circle is certainly a wonderful thing. I've recently replaced my steering box and I have the old unit plus a bush and gasket kit for it. We've had the box apart and it's in good condition apart from the bottom bush - if it's the same assembly as you need for the P1800 then I could sell it to you as a refurbished unit. However other people on this forum know all the differences between Amazon and P1800. Before you do anything, though, I'd check your tyres. If the pressure is even just a bit low, it makes the steering a lot heavier. I do a lot of town driving and with my tyres at around 30-32 psi I find steering easy except in the tightest spots. The trick, of course, is always to be rolling when you steer - power steering has made people lazy about this, but it's fundamental and massively reduces wear and tear. __________________ 1967 Volvo 121 Auto in everyday use and rolling restoration. 2002 Audi TT quattro. (Sorry!)

Dec 6th, 2015, 22:41	#5
Volvorama Too many cats Last Online: Aug 24th, 2023 09:02 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Birmingham	another thing My ex-California 144S had jammed steering joints and a very stiff steering idler, so check that too. The steering box was ok. __________________ Mark

Jan 12th, 2016, 17:20	#6
p1800 P1800-its all going well! Last Online: Jul 8th, 2023 09:13 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Manchester	Sorted Thanks for the advice. I cleaned and greased everything in sight and its made the world of difference.

Dec 4th, 2015, 11:53	#3
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Apr 18th, 2024 17:06 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	I agree with Dai's comments but if your steering is light and easy above about 5 - 8 mph and self centres well it's probably OK. 3 point turns can be hard work especially if there is some road camber. The way the pitman and idler arms flops over reduces the leverage you have, just part of the design. If you have another car I'm sure it has power steering so the contrast is much more obvious.

Jan 12th, 2016, 20:39	#7
amazon69 Premier Member Last Online: Apr 14th, 2024 15:15 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Falmouth	I put some of this stuff in my steering box after hearing rave reviews of it in a magazine of mine…it's semi fluid grease, and it's magic. I had a continued seep from mine with normal oil and this stuff stopped that and lubricates it really well. One 500ml bottle is just about perfect. __________________ Falmouth, Cornwall. 1970 California white 131.

Jan 13th, 2016, 17:28	#9
amazon69 Premier Member Last Online: Apr 14th, 2024 15:15 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Falmouth	Not quite, it is quite gloopy…I put it in a grease gun and pushed it in that way. __________________ Falmouth, Cornwall. 1970 California white 131.

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