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Post by guillaume on Jun 7, 2022 11:18:59 GMT
Hello. I'm very happy to meet your forum. I'm the lucky owner of a '73 DAF 33. It passed succefully the MOT Test this morning. There are only minor defaults: somme rust spots, a fancy taylor-made exhaust and too much play in steering. I plan to change the whole steering rack (exchange against a refurbished unit from Dafhobby) but does someby know how to remove the steering wheel? I tried to but it remains stuck. Technical data quotes a dedicated puller but i don't know how it could look like. Do you have any idea or tips? Thank you!
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andrew
Likes DAFs
Posts: 1,104
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Post by andrew on Jun 7, 2022 12:02:56 GMT
I'm afraid to say I don't know how to remove the steering wheel, but I DO know that a normal puller won't do the job, as I broke a Daf 33 steering wheel trying to remove it from the column a few years ago, so DO be careful!
I suspect there might be a different way of removing it if the car has a steering lock fitted, but I'm not an expert in this!
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Post by guillaume on Jun 7, 2022 12:30:24 GMT
I'm afraid to say I don't know how to remove the steering wheel, but I DO know that a normal puller won't do the job, as I broke a Daf 33 steering wheel trying to remove it from the column a few years ago, so DO be careful! I suspect there might be a different way of removing it if the car has a steering lock fitted, but I'm not an expert in this! Thank you for your reply. I did try to remove it with a regular puller but i gave up: steel jaws against bakelite…unequal fight . Mystery romains. Perhaps should i use a tulip😄?
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Post by bobdisk on Jun 9, 2022 5:20:00 GMT
You can remove the whole steering wheel and column assembly. Undo the nuts&bolts on the joint near the floor. Then undo the clamp bolts at the top under the cover by the ignition switch/steering lock. You will not then need to remove the steering wheel from the column. The joint by the floor will have to come off anyway to remove the rack. I think it is a splined spindle from the pinion in the steering rack. The steering wheel has a tapered fitting with a woodruff key at the top of the steering column. It gets well and truly stuck and will never come off.
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Post by starider on Jun 9, 2022 23:27:27 GMT
Hi, bobdisk is quite correct,it is quite easy to remove the whole steering column. It is many many years since I removed a steering rack but I have it in mind that once the inner track rod ends are removed from the steering rack,the bolts removed from the bottom of the steering column and the mounting bolts for the steering rack removed it should all come appart without removing any of the steering column. It is possible to adjust out play between the pinion and the rack. I'm not sure if the available workshop manual shows this, but the factory manual explains the overhaul and adjustment of the rack and pinion. It may be worth trying adjustment once the rack is removed and before you purchase a reconditioned one. Remember to have the tracking checked once re-assembled.
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Post by guillaume on Jun 10, 2022 19:50:57 GMT
Thank you very much for your advices. My owner shop manual shows a detailed view of the steering but i will be difficult to source parts even though the trouble should only be worn nylon washers. Anyway my tiny car drives like a dream: let's enjoy!
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Post by starider on Jun 11, 2022 16:04:36 GMT
Hi again, if the play in the steering is the amount of movement/free play when turning the steering wheel from side to side? this can be adjusted fairly simply as the pinion can be moved concentrically to be nearer the rack.
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Post by guillaume on Jun 16, 2022 21:05:39 GMT
Hi again, if the play in the steering is the amount of movement/free play when turning the steering wheel from side to side? this can be adjusted fairly simply as the pinion can be moved concentrically to be nearer the rack. Hi. Yes it seems to be that symptom! Is it possible to adjust pinion/rack interval without a complete removal? My workshop manual doesn't mention any adjustment. It only shows how to refurbish steering with new parts. Anyway nylon bushing are available in the Netherlands for €20: i will order them if i have to remove the whole steering. The cars has only 50 000 km but plastic get old and grease must be good just for diet right now I must solve that because driving it is a bit scary. A 4-wheel Reliant Robin actualy..
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Post by bobdisk on Jun 17, 2022 9:48:09 GMT
Look on the top of the rack above where the pinion comes through from inside the car. There is a bolt, with a piece of wire coming out of it.(thats a breather, the wire prevents a blockage) Turn the bolt for adjustment of the rack to pinion pressure. I expect you will find it is loose, turn it in, clockwise to reduce play. But not too tight.
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Post by guillaume on Jun 17, 2022 11:16:17 GMT
Ok i will try this week-end. The bolt you are talking about wasn’t tight: i had removed it to fill the case with multi-purpose grease as i thought it was dedicated to🙁. But i tightened it very gently afterwise. No issue i guess. Ok I let you informed. Great regards!
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Post by bobdisk on Jun 18, 2022 12:05:17 GMT
@ guillaume Got it wrong!!!! I was thinking of another car, not Daf !! That bolt on mine was also loose. That bolt is not an adjustment. It is the place where you put in the oil at the regular maintenance times. The pinion adjustment is on the end of the pinion. Your workshop manual should describe how to adjust/repair the rack. If not, it would be best to find someone who can supply a reconditioned unit, or who can restore yours
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Post by guillaume on Jun 18, 2022 20:28:24 GMT
Don’t worry : i have checked the book and this bolt is Just a plug. I found the good process to lower play in steering .
1st: remove the safety wire and unlock the two bolts (bottom of steering case). Just loosen them don’t remove. 2nd: move the dowel clockwise to lower play. To full lock steering will be locked. 3rd: ajust step by step (tighten the bolts before each test) to obtain something acceptable ! Then full block and secure bolts.
Play is now about 2º vs 6.
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Post by guillaume on Jun 18, 2022 20:41:59 GMT
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andrew
Likes DAFs
Posts: 1,104
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Post by andrew on Jun 19, 2022 7:39:11 GMT
Don’t worry : i have checked the book and this bolt is Just a plug. I found the good process to lower play in steering . 1st: remove the safety wire and unlock the two bolts (bottom of steering case). Just loosen them don’t remove. 2nd: move the dowel clockwise to lower play. To full lock steering will be locked. 3rd: ajust step by step (tighten the bolts before each test) to obtain something acceptable ! Then full block and secure bolts. Play is now about 2º vs 6. Thanks for posting this. I'll be taking a note of the steering play on my 33 now!
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Post by bobdisk on Jun 19, 2022 11:16:46 GMT
We'll have a look at it at Princethorpe, along with my brakes!!
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