|
|
|
|
|
This is the 4th of a series of “How to” articles. FRONT AXLE STEERING ARMS Having sounded off with regard to fixing oil leaks from your “injun”, this time the front axle and steering are in for “it”. Having just purchased an old banger, to be precise a 1923 AB Tourer, …”just finished a full restoration”, was the sales pitch. Close inspection of the main steering arm, the one that is attached to the drag link and is pushed and pulled by the steering box, revealed after removing the black paint that it was seriously cracked. Should this part have failed whilst in transit, one could only have guessed at the result. How did I know it was cracked? - Well, not having any crack testing facility at home, I did the next best thing. Remove the steering arm from the stub axle and drag link. Remove the ball joint that attaches it to the drag link. Fix the steering arm in the vice so that inside radius is upper most and that so that you can work on said radius with a rat tail file. File the radius with a rolling action until you have removed the forging ridge and the area either side is smooth. Now you need some emery ribbon about 200-240 grit and some 12 inches long and about 1 inch wide. Tear the width in half and with the steering arm still fixed in the vice, holding emery ribbon at each end rub the inside radius until it is smooth and free of file marks, this should take 3-5 minutes. Inspect the radius to see that it is a smooth and even flat finish. You might use the other piece of emery ribbon to achieve a good result. Now pick up your aerosol can of CRC or WD40 and spray the radius - a good 10 second blast should do the job. Remove the arm from the vice and through the hole that normally takes the ball joint insert a screwdriver as long as you have that will fit through the hole. Holding the screwdriver by the handle so that the shaft is horizontal the steering screw should now be able to swing on the shaft of the screwdriver. Now holding the screwdriver n our left hand pick up with your other hand a steel hammer and strike the outside radius of the steering arm with a blow sufficient so that it will rotate a few times. Repeat this 2 or 3 times always on the outside of the radius. Now look at the inside of the radius, the one you just filed and emery papered, and sprayed, - what do you see!! Hopefully you will see nothing, but in my 50 odd years with A7s - 9½ out of 10 steering arms are cracked. The Club does not sell replacement steering arms, however, replacement arms have been made by club Members and have survived for over 10 years and are used in competition i.e. 2 raid cars. I suggest you ask around. Next time more on front axle tuning. John Bowring |