Well, spoke to Mike about it this morning ... he said, with the engine running put a bit of masking tape at the top of the steering wheel with the wheels central, then
very gently turn the steering wheel until the road wheels JUST move, place another piece of tape at the top of the steering wheel.... harsh movements will give a false indication. Repeat in the other direction. Measure the distance between the outer pieces of tape. Max allowed is 7.5 cm
Did all that and was exceedingly surprised that the measurement was 8.2 cm !!!!!
Used the adjuster on the box and with a shade under 1/2 a turn the distance is down to 4.7 cm. If I go above 1/2 a turn the "self centering" of the steering when driven is poor.
I must admit that the whole steering now seems much firmer/more positive, but whether that is just the adjustment made, or a combination of the adjustment and the new boots all round, or a placebo effect I can't be certain. I also wonder if my comments about "tramlining" are actually a mixture of the slop and the old tyres.....
Car goes back Monday to be re-tested.
I totally accept the above comments about being undriveable, and was VERY surprised at the measurement .. I would have thought the car undriveable as well .. but it seems that the hydraulics have the ability to mask the problem somehow, so that it only fully shows with gentle movement of the steering.
I wonder what Mike will say on Monday !!!
