Steering box rebuild

dickykitch · Post by **dickykitch** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 7:03 am

Now that I’ve restarted my restoration project (see http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 08#p172108), the first job I’m tackling is finishing the RHD conversion. I had a working Lada steering box that I got in the 90’s, but have recently sourced a complete steering system from a coupe. The steering box was missing the back worm bearing, shims and cover plate for some reason, but is in good shape otherwise.

I’ve stripped the box down and fitted new oil seals etc, and now need to reassemble. The parts that were missing are the same on the LHD version, so I’ve taken them from my original box. The factory instructions I have talk about using a dynamometer to check the worm friction moment, adjusting the shims to achieve the required value. As I don’t have access to a dynamoter, does anyone know of a suitable alternative method, or can you just tell when it ‘feels right’?