Bando steering

[ba/thejafan]

Does any one know if  you can tighten the universl j0int up on the steeing shaft on a Bandolero to take the slop out of it?

Thanks,

[T Worthy]

Very dificult to rebuild  u-joint in the sterring shaft-- Easier to replace--years of using this type of u-joint never worn one out--you may look at rack and pinion for adjustment and or worn parts--I have noticed some play in quick disconnect in sterring wheel .  Tim.

[ba/thejafan]

Where do I look for adjustment in the steering rack and pinion, it does seem loose there?

Thanks,

[justfreaky]

Sounds like the rack may need rebuilding. Check for slop in the steeringwheel disconect first (a pretty common problem).

Steve

[T Worthy]

The pinion and the rack are straight cut gears, little can be done to tighten  loose play, it is best to replace with new steering unit, you may not be aware of abuse your unit has taken .The steering unit is one the most important piece on the car.Don't take a  chance on old parts they will break  when you least expect it,usually  at speed entering the corner. Tim

[mch46]

Something we've done before is to take the pinion out and rotate it 180 degrees.  The top half is basically unused, and by rotating it you can get virtually new and unused pinion gears against the rack.  This won't do anything for a worn rack, but it ususally tightens-up the unit quite a bit.  It'll get you by for awhile, until you get another unit.

[ba/thejafan]

Can you tell me how go about taking the pinion out and putting it back in 180 degrees rotated? Sound like I would like to a least try that first.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

[mch46]

1.  Disconnect tie rods from rack, steering shaft from spline on pinion, and bolts that hold steering rack in place on the plate.
2.  Remove entire steering rack unit from car and remove bolts that hold the 2 piece unit together.
3.  Place a mark on the pinion shaft to you know the location where it was placed in the unit.
4.  Lay the unit on table with the splined pinion pointing upward, and remove the top half of the unit.
5.  Remove the pinion and grease, then rotate it 180 degrees from the mark you had placed on the shaft.
6.  Lay the pinion back into the unit, being careful to place the pinion and each of the two end-keepers into their respective slots.  Also, make sure the rack is centered in the unit when you put the pinion back in.
7.  Reassemble unit and place in car.

Hope this helps!