105 Giulia Steering box question

[fergus]

On a LHD car with a Burman box, can I clarify the effect of the shims in the box.

1) the oval shims under the oval cover plate on the "top" of the steering box push down the large "nut" which acts on the worm (the one holding ~30 bearings). Reducing the number of shims under the oval cover plate will reduce the "side to side" play in the wheel
2) the square shims under the cover plate where the horn cable exits act to reduce the axial (fore and aft) play in the steering column

Is this correct?

Part 2:
i) on a box with an O ring fitted as the oil seal on the end of the rocker arm, is it possible to simply remove this and the retaining "washer" (press fitted) and fit a double lipped oil seal instead, or would the box need boring out to accept the seal?
ii) what size pitman arm puller do I need? i.e. does anyone know the max diameter of the arm where it slides onto the splines on the end of the rocker arm?

PS I don't have access to the car at the moment, so cannot measure anything.

Edited by fergus on Thursday 23 July 10:15

[fergus]

Anyone have any experience of steering boxes?

[Elderly]

If you take too many oval shims out, the steering will tighten up too much.
You'll notice this with the front of the car jacked up as you go from lock to lock.

[omniflow]

Fergus,

AlfaBB is your friend here. There are several threads on rebuilding Burman boxes. Mine is currently totally dismantled, awaiting rebuild.

I have a hydraulic puller that I used to get the pitman arm off my box, you're welcome to borrow it.

I think I'm quite local to you.

Richard

[fergus]

Richard, hi.

PM sent. Cheers.