How To Check Condition Of Steering Worm?

Enbloc

Senior Member
Apart form a visual inspection of a steering worm for pitting and such like, is there any other way to check a steering worm to see if its usable other than suck it see?
 
Sorry, bad typing. Should have been "suck it and see" ie. is the only way to know if a worm is usable is to set it up in a steering box and see what the play is if any.
 
"suck it and see" seems to be a British thing, loosely akin to..."try something and see how you like it", .......I think! DD
 
If it's still in the steering box, the best way is center it up (mid travel with steering wheel centered) then adjust the play out as much as possible between sector and worm. Rotate it a bit and feel for rough spots. If play can be eleminated in the centered position and the steering wheel moves smoothly then the worm & sector are good.
 
"suck it and see" seems to be a British thing, loosely akin to..."try something and see how you like it", .......I think! DD

Yes!

If it's still in the steering box, the best way is center it up (mid travel with steering wheel centered) then adjust the play out as much as possible between sector and worm. Rotate it a bit and feel for rough spots. If play can be eleminated in the centered position and the steering wheel moves smoothly then the worm & sector are good.

This is a worm on the bench. Like to see if its worth using before I go to the trouble of fitting it.
 
There is no easy way to see the wear or measure it. The boxes are very easy to assemble so I would just do a trial assembly without new gaskets. I have assembled them without the worm shim gaskets and just snuged the serews up to take any play out.
 
I've seen so many worm gears with big divots in them that I wouldn't hesitate to try one without the moon sized craters. Most Gemmer boxes can be adjusted enough to take the wear slack out in the center. After it moves off center, it gets loose anyway and it's suposed to do that to allow for correct steering geometry in a turn.
 
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