| Author |
Message |
    
Bill Coburn (203.51.30.137)
| | Posted on Tuesday, 12 November, 2002 - 16:42: |    |
I have had little experience with these contrivances other than pulling my own to pieces to clean it out as a normal bit of housekeeping. Recently a very high mileage S2 started losing power assistance and I fear I am going to be forced into a box overhaul. Having been spoilt with the rack and pinion repairers with a very reasonably priced two day service, I was started to be told very firmly that my man would not do them as they required so much trouble to set up. Have any readers of these columns found a specialist in this department?
Secondly and with the same problem, it is not generally known that the S3 differed significantly from the S2 in the box particularly in the spool valve with the intention of reducing the assistance and making the steering a little more responsive. Is it too simple that the later spool valve can be slotted into the earlier box??? |
bob (213.1.76.82)
| | Posted on Tuesday, 31 December, 2002 - 06:17: | |
Can you not find a repairer who is familar with Range Rover power steering boxes.
I am not familar with S2 power boxes but I believe they all work the same.
Inside there is a torsion bar which twists slightly as the driver trys to move the steering wheel. Making the torsion bar stiffer will make the power assistance less. Could the torsion bar be made shorter and hence stiffer.
The torsion bar twists and operates the spool valve(s)
Can the pressure from the pump be set lower
Do I know what I am talking about. (no)
Is there a power steering expert on line somewhere. |
Bill Coburn (203.51.30.138)
| | Posted on Tuesday, 31 December, 2002 - 10:35: | |
Bob
Many thanks for your efforts. The S2/S3 box is one Heath Robertson would be proud of. I have little difficulty with racks and boxes that sit on the end of the steering column although nowadays I find it easier and preferable to consign the little darlings to a specialist who can test the results of his tinkerings as he goes along thus minimising the heartbreak when you get it all back together and it doesn't work. Anyway the spool valve is undoubtedly the problem in this case I mentioned. I also note the Factory modified this for the late S2 and for S3 models. The box is a swine to get out as it is tucked up under the toeboard. The pedal surround plate is removed which enables you to draw back or remove the steering column from the transfer case and after undoing four supply and exhaust lines, four mounting bolts and the Pitman arm the thing just falls out. What I haven't mentioned is the environment of these actions which is eqivalent to changing your clothes in a coffin. The location was prompted by the advent of the vee eight engine and resulted in a beautifully made transfer case between the column and the main box which nowadays could probably be avoided with a universal joint and the rocking shaft on which the Pitman Arms fits finishes up vertical! To adjust the backlash assuming everything else is OK requires loosening off the top and bottom bearing housings for the rocking shaft and carefully moving them equally and eccentrically to push the shaft nearer the main worm. All that is the easy bit. Setting up the box for preload and 'tight point' is apparently the difficulty. I pulled most of my S2 box to pieces to clean it out and fit new seals. It was working perfectly - hopefully it will again. |