Is it normal for the steering box input shaft to wobble?

[Fiat88]

I have the box out of the car to replace the seals and I'm trying to adjust the play. i notice I can wiggle the shaft a little side to side. What does that mean? And I just ordered new seals!

[ace124]

If the input shaft is wobbling then undo the 4 x 13mm backing plate bolts and remove the square cover. Under it you will find some very thin plastic or metal shims. remove the THINNEST one and put it all back together and check its not binding when you turn the input shaft. Now check for wobble. repeat if needed. The shims set the preload on the input shaft bearings. Too many - too much freeplay hence wobble. Not enough and the input shaft will bind, and bearing preload will be tight.
Let me know how you go.
Good luck

[azygoustoyou]

I'm posting this here. Not sure if it's the same.

When I hold the steering shaft, the pitman arm can move about 1/8". Is that what he is referring to as a wobble?
If not, can I adjust it so there is no play?
I have another one that apparently has a leak. Well, maybe... The other one had oil on it. I guess it could have come from something else in the box. Is it easy to fix a leak?

What fluid goes inside the steering box? Should I just rebuild it since the car is apart?

[Fiat88]

Ace124,
I did tighten the steering shaft up by removing 2 of the thinnest plastic shims but the bearings still sound bad. So I'm gonna eventually switch it out with one manoamatt is getting sell me but for now it seems ok. Thanks for the tip.

Brady,
As far as the leaks, mine was leaking bad. I did replace the 2 seals and it wasn't that hard. I did it with the steering shaft in place to boot. Not leaking anymore!

Use 90w gear oil. I used the Redline brand as I had some left over from changing out the differential oil.

[ace124]

Fiat88 Glad i could help.
Just be mindfull that the "noisy bearing" noise ur getting with your steering box in the vice and you working the pitman arm back and forth, can actually be a worn worm and roller.
When i say worn, i mean if you have a look at the meshing surfaces they will probably be worn unevenly, concave, grooved from running without oil, or pitted from corrosion.
Best bet is to get a better worm and roller if your meshing surfaces are not nice and bright and evenly worn. Bearings if available new would be a must also.

Good luck