Steering

Have just bought a Charlesworth saloon (SC), and its steering is hopeless.  Is this simply a process of elimination e.g. Marles box etc., or is there a specific area to do with the linkage?  Guidance would be much appreciated. Also, I am trying to track its ownership via AOC because it seems to have 'vanished off the radar' in about 2002.  The registration is ARU 291.  Graham Posted by langford 01/04/2015 15:22:55

Graham - there's another thread in General Technical about 4.3 steering.  basically the same as yours. Posted by johnlayzell 01/04/2015 23:32:03

Many thanks John. Posted by langford 03/04/2015 11:29:38

Firstly, apologies for all the questions. My recently acquired Charlesworth saloon is minus a number of bits, including rear view mirror (Halfords suction one does a better job), and internal window winders, handles etc., for some doors.  Thoughts about suppliers would be appreciated.  Also, the pipes have been disconnected from the shock absorbers.  Is there a any form of replacement which isn't too complex?  The steering will have to come out and be rebuilt despite correct tyre pressures (see technical forum), but I aim to keep the car in its relatively 'unmolested' state. Graham Posted by langford 15/04/2015 15:12:35

Hello Graham,  do you still have all 4 Luvax shock absorbers with extra connection for the central dashboard controlled pump? My car has 4 luvax items but only 2 ever had the pipe connection, so the others have been changed at some earlier time in the car's life. When I was investigating refurbishment of the shock absorbers, I identified 2 UK suppliers, one of whom recommends discarding the centralised pump system and the other is able to refurbish and re-commission the adjustable function  with central pump and dashboard control. NB the total centralised system also needs the lever controlled pump which connects the driver's side rear chassis to the leaf spring.  As I only have 2 controllable shock absorbers (1 front and 1 rear), I have not tried to refurbish the central pump and associated controls. NB finding replacement Luvax shock absorbers (4 fixing hole type - AMC I think they are designated) for refurbishment is very difficult on the open market. I was lucky enough to be offered the one that I needed from within the AOC - I had one old one that was beyond refurbishment. This rarity drives up the price of used and worn out items to ridiculous levels!!  Alternatives to Luvax will have been fitted to some cars over the years and Roger Gooding's car has Armstrong style lever dampers at the front - possibly from new. Telescopics could be reversibly fitted to the rear without too much difficulty - if you are desperate!  cheers  Dave Posted by DaveT 16/04/2015 10:19:39

Graham  The steering on my Speed20 SC was also appalling even after many attempts to reshim/adjust the Marles box- eventually tracked the problem down to the integral bearing tracks either end of the steering 'worm' having lost their hardness. - These were restored by The Vintage Bearing Co in burton on Trent - cost a few hundred quid and took a few weeks but well worth it - NB At the same time I fitted modern lip oil seals to the steering box and now run it on EP140.   Lovely fluid steering and inch perfect on the road. I've covered over 15,000 miles since without any deterioration  PS - I understand that Vintage Bearings undertake (or at least did so at the time) the same repair on a fairly regular subcontract basis for  one of our well known Alvis Specialists Posted by shaun matthews 01/05/2015 16:35:24

Many thanks Shaun, my steering box is currently being 'done up' by a company in Dorking, but will make mention of those end bearings for the worm, which seems entirely logical.  Graham Posted by langford 13/05/2015 14:22:43

I am using Earley Engineering for my steering box rebuild (plus other stuff..)   Chris Posted by chhym 19/05/2015 12:01:18

Chris, Have had my Marles box reconditioned by Steering Services in Westcott. (£288)  Made a big difference, but the lock is still terrible. Presumably par for the course then.  Have tried to get hold of Earley Engineering for bodywork, but have found it difficult to corner Nick Simpson's son. The car is in Kent, and so would have to be collected when they had a 'slot'.  Mainly bodywork I hope, particularly the uprights holding the windscreen, and presumably the roof, as it is a saloon. Would welcome advice from anyone on any alternative restoration experts nearer Kent.  Graham Posted by langford 03/06/2015 15:45:25

On a speed 20 the lock should be adequate, If the drop arm isn't aligned on the right spline it will reduce lock significantly - Might be worth trying indexing it one spline either side of where it is now and see if lock improves Posted by shaun matthews 05/06/2015 21:40:02