DISASSEMBLING THE STEERING BOX

Remove top plate

Remove the locknut of the adjuster screw, plus any locking tab that may be present. Remove the top plate retaining bolts. Screw the adjuster in a few turns and tap the top free of its gasket.

Take out worm

Unscrew the end plate retaining the worm. There will be adjusting shims under here – don’t lose or damage them. Tap the end of the steering shaft to push out the end bearing and release the worm.

Release adjuster

Gently tap the bottom of the drop shaft to raise it, then slide the adjuster plate out of the slot. Some designs have an adjuster that screws directly on to the main shaft. Unscrew it to separate.

Catch bearings

Be ready to catch the ball races on each end of the worm. They should retain their balls unless badly worn. Instead of a shimmed end plate, some boxes have a screw-in end plug with a locking ring.

Remove drop shaft

Lift the drop shaft out of the box. You should now see the worm gear of the steering shaft. It turns on caged ball bearings that run directly on the ends of the worm. Check smoothness of rotation.

Pry out seals

Pry out the oil seals with a tyre iron, or similar. Drift or press out the remaining (upper) bearing track of the worm if it rotated noisily or if it’s rusty, pitted or worn. Otherwise, leave it where it is.