Reliant Kitten Estate, Workshop Manual

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Page 24
The lock stops are built in to the steering gear and no adjustments are
possible.
Routine maintenance
At the 1,000 miles (1,500 km) free service the toe-in and rear wheel
alignment is checked. These checks should also be made at
subsequent 12,000 mile (20,000 km) intervals. The condition of
steering rack gaiters should be inspected at 6,000 mile (10,000 km)
intervals.
Operation 1 Toe-in adjustment, front wheel alignment
1. Position the car on level ground with the front wheels in the
straight ahead position. Centralise the steering by turning the steering
wheel from lock to lock, counting the turns, and then by turning back
exactly half the number of turns. In this position the steering wheel
spokes should adopt an inverted "Y" position.
2. Using optical/mechanical wheel alignment equipment,
measure the front wheel alignment. The toe-in should be zero degrees
(parallel). Take one reading, then roll the vehicle forward until the
wheels have rotated 180 degrees then check again, to allow for wheel
rim run out.
Adjusting
1. Slacken the outer clips on the steering rack gaiters.
2. Slacken the locking nuts on the track rods.
3. Shorten or extend the rods by rotating them until the
correct adjustment is obtained.
4. Tighten the lock nuts.
5. Tighten the gaiter clips.
Operation 2 Camber adjustment
Check that the vehicle is on level ground, that the wheels are pointing
straight ahead and that the tyre pressures are correct. Using
optical/mechanical wheel alignment equipment check the camber
angle. The amount of camber should be 1 degree positive when
correctly set.
Adjustment
1. Jack up the vehicle and remove road wheel.
2. Slacken the nyloc nuts securing the upper wishbone pivot
brackets to the suspension tower.
3. Add or delete shims as necessary behind both brackets to
adjust the camber angle.
4. Re-tighten the pivot bracket nuts.
5. Refit the road wheel and tighten the wheel nuts.
Check the camber setting again with wheel alignment equipment.
Operation 3 Castor angle adjustment
Check that the vehicle is on level ground, that the wheels are pointing
straight ahead and that the tyre pressures are correct. Using
optical/mechanical wheel alignment equipment check the caster
angle. The amount of camber should be 12 degrees.
If this reading is not obtained then adjust by adding or deleting shims
to the upper wishbone pivot brackets as detailed in Operation 2
Operation 4 Steering wheel removal
Removal
( Figure 2 )
1. Prise off the steering wheel crash pad.
2. Disengage the steering lock. Scribe a line on the crash pad
retaining ring and the top of the steering column to ensure correct
alignment on re-assembly.
3. Remove the steering wheel retaining nut and washer.
4. Using a suitable puller, remove the steering wheel from the
steering column.
refitting
1.
Engage the steering wheel on to the steering column
splines ensuring that the alignment marks are correct. If no markings
are present, with the road wheels pointing straight ahead, refit the
steering wheel with the spokes in an inverted "Y" position.
2. Fit the washer and nut to the steering column and tighten
(ensuring the steering lock is disengaged).
3. Refit the steering wheel crash pad.
Operation 5 Steering lock/ignition switch removal
Removal
( Figure 2 )
1. Remove the steering wheel (see operation 4).
2. Remove multi switch cover retained by clamp beneath with
two screws and washers.
3. Remove multi switch retained by clamping bracket with two
screws.
4. Remove the pinch bolt securing the upper steering column
to the lower steering column accessible from within the foot well.
5. Remove the two screws, nuts and washers securing the
steering column support bracket to the fascia.
6. remove the saddle bracket fixings securing the steering
column to the body.
7. Disconnect the ignition switch wires, noting the connections
to aid re-assembly.
8. Remove the support lug bolt securing the steering column
to the two support brackets attached to the body.
9. Withdraw the steering column and remove from vehicle.
10. Place the column in a vice and drill out the two steering lock
shear bolts.
Refitting
1. Locate the steering lock on the column and align the
mounting holes.
2. Fit the new shear-head bolts and tighten evenly until the
bolt heads shear off.
3.
Refit the steering column in reverse order
Operation 6 Steering column removal and replacement
To remove ( Figure 2 )
1. Follow sequence 1 to 9 of operation 5.
2. If the lower steering column is required to be removed from
the vehicle remove the pinch bolt securing the lower column to the
steering rack.
3. Pull the lower column through the hole in the body,
complete with the grommet. Re-assemble in reverse order.
Operation 7 Steering rack removal and replacement
To remove
1. Place the vehicle on a ramp or suitable axle stands.
2. Remove the pinch bolt from the lower universal joint of the
lower steering column.