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[chrisgixer]

There was a thread a while back where quite rightly Andy H raised some questions as to the correct way to adjust the steering box. Iirc the suggestion was that the box had to be removed from the car going by some other models, in order to do the job correctly.

Well, during discussion with these guys,    http://www.steering-racks.co.uk    regarding fiddling around within steering racks and conversions from steering boxs, the subject of box adjustment came up.
 Suffice to say there is only one adjustment, the torx screw and lock nut on the top as we know, and there is no reason to remove the box from the car to adjust it. With front wheels unloaded, lock nut undone, they confirmed that, with an assistant moving the sterring wheel back and forth gently, the torx nut can be slowly tightened until movement can be felt on the torx nut.
 It IS a question of feel and they confirmed they've done loads the same way, including repairs to omega units involving a full strip down.

So, just to confirm, adjusting the omega steering box is no problem at all. Providing its adjusted correctly of course

[Andy H]

You can't teach 'feel' but it is something you can acquire with practice 

I was describing the 'factory' way for my old Range Rover using a spring balance and a piece of string wrapped round the input shaft (the factory would presumably use some kind of calibrated torque wrench)

Setting the adjustment with the box on the bench means there are no other factors to upset the free movement and it is really obvious exactly where the tightest spot is.

Getting the steering box out of an Omega just to set the adjustment is such a PITA though that there is a massive incentive to learn some 'feel'

[chrisgixer]

You can't teach 'feel' but it is something you can acquire with practice 

I was describing the 'factory' way for my old Range Rover using a spring balance and a piece of string wrapped round the input shaft (the factory would presumably use some kind of calibrated torque wrench)

Setting the adjustment with the box on the bench means there are no other factors to upset the free movement and it is really obvious exactly where the tightest spot is.

Getting the steering box out of an Omega just to set the adjustment is such a PITA though that there is a massive incentive to learn some 'feel'

Ok let's define the feel relevant to this then. Assume the steering wheel is constantly moving back and forth through out. If the torx is too far out if adjustment, its not possible to feel the innards moving. As it's gently tightened, with the nut backed off, there is an amount of play in the torx thread that makes it obvious that the torx is in contact with the shaft or not.

Firstly the moving shaft within moves the torx, this can be felt by hand through a suitable handed ratchet with screw driver attachment as found in the Halfords tool kits.

Secondly, once adjusted correctly, and pressure is taken off the said Halfords tool the torx nut can be seen to physically move due to the play in the thread.

Thirdly, its obvious if over tight as the nut can be seen to physically turn as the haft passes under it.


It really is that simple.

[chrisgixer]

This is the thread in question.
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=121395.15

I wonder if the discrepancy is, that the adjustment should be done, knowing that the box (not the steering wheel) is dead ahead. Reason being that the adjustment only works/is designed to work, in the dead ahead position where the slop in the box is worst.

If the play is taken out away from dead ahead, then it will go horribly wrong once the steering is straight and bind up. That will 'dangle berries' it. Most certainly.  ....?

[Andy H]

This is the thread in question.
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=121395.15

I wonder if the discrepancy is, that the adjustment should be done, knowing that the box (not the steering wheel) is dead ahead. Reason being that the adjustment only works/is designed to work, in the dead ahead position where the slop in the box is worst.

If the play is taken out away from dead ahead, then it will go horribly wrong once the steering is straight and bind up. That will 'dangle berries' it. Most certainly.  ....?

Exactly