Hi Guys..

Got a bit of a 'newbie' question for you but I figure if I don't ask, I don't learn.

The steering on my 120Y is a little... sloppy. Now I know that is quite a non descript symptom I've given, but I've had a bit of a cursory look at the suspension and steering components and everything looks within acceptable parameters.
This brings me to the steering box itself. I know there is an adjustment you can make to tighten it up, namely undo the locking nut and tighten the threaded shaft on the box with a screwdriver. But how do you know if it is too much, etc ?
I'll take any good advice I can get here guys...
Thanks in advance.

Anton

Tighten it until there is less than 1-inch play at the wheel, or until the gearbox screw tightens up (in other words, tighten up the slack but don't put any torque on the adjuster screw).



http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=2189

as DD said, but also check lock to lock as most the wear happens in the straight ahead postion, so will bind when turning.

Thanks a heap guys... I think I'll try it a little bit at a time and see how t goes... Is this a common thing that needs to be done or am I doing a last reort fix ?

you should only have to do it once every ten yrs or so.

Yes, I'll second that it's common after about 10 years.

ok then, given mine is 25 years old then I'm about due !!!

Quote:

But how does this sector shaft adjustment compensate for wear that might be in the worm shaft or its bearings? Perhaps even the idler arm bush, or rod ends. It doesn't.

It's important to determine where the looseness actually is, before just diving in & tightening things.
Identify, then rectify the actual cause. If it is nothing more than sector shaft end float, then this adjustment will fix it. If not, it won't. Check the steering rod ends & idler arm while you're down there too.
The workshop manual will give you all the details that you need.

Dodgeman, you're right, it won't compensate for all wear. Nevertheless experience has shown it virtually always helps somewhat with old 1200s. If it won't take up all the slack, it will take up some.