Steering box

[donm]

Is it hard to replace? I ask because my steering is beginning to feel a bit notchy.
Ive played around with the adjustment but it becomes either too loose or too stiff. I'm wondering if the steering box has just worn to the point where you no longer adjust it properly Has anyone here replaced theirs? Any tips or advice for me? Thanks in advance.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I'm gonna ask the obvious question: Does the box have enough oil? It's very common for them to slowly go dry over the years. The other things that can cause binding or hard steering are a tight idler box (passenger side), crusty ball joints or tie rod ends, steering link, etc.

The box isn't terribly hard to replace, but it is more challenging with the engine in the car. On most models, the starter motor has to be removed. Basic steps:

Disconnect battery, and remove starter motor
Remove the steering link and tie rod connection to the steering box arm
(inside the car) Disconnect the U-joint linkage lower connection to the steering box input shaft.
Unbolt the steering box
Swear a lot (this is important), and slowly work the box free and out of the car. On some models, it can come out through the bottom and on some models it comes out through the top (once a lot of stuff is removed), and I honestly forget which models do which route.

-Bryan

[donm]

Thanks for your reply, Bryan, always helpful, but yes, the linkage is all good there's oil in the box and I replaced the idler last year. I can jack up the car and make the steering wheel spin by moving the wheels as mentioned in a previous post, so I don't think there's anything binding.
It sounds more trouble to replace than I had hoped but since I jumped the gun and already ordered a new box... Well, any tips on removing the starter? Does it come out the top or the bottom?

[18Fiatsandcounting]

If the steering wheel spins as you describe when you grab the front wheels and twist them, then your steering sounds good as you noted. I have noticed that some people adjust that center screw in the steering box too tight, and then the steering binds about half way through in either direction, while feeling OK in the center position. The steering has some play in it even under the best circumstances, so I adjust that screw so that you just start to feel binding as you grab the tires and rotate as you mention, using the full 3.5 turns of motion on the steering wheel, then back off the adjustment screw by an 1/8 turn and try again.

The steering wheel can feel like it has play in the center, but the real test is a road test. Find a straight level (safe) road, go about 35 mph in a straight direction, and the car should slowly (takes seconds) start to drift off-center with about a 1/2 inch turn on the steering wheel as measured at the top of the wheel. And try the other direction. It will feel loose compared to a modern car, but that's the way it works.

To remove the starter? I think it comes out the top on a Spider 2000, but you have to remove a bunch of stuff around the intake manifold. Honestly, given how hard it is to get all 3 starter motor bolts loose, unless the steering is really sloppy, I'd just live with it.

If you really want to remove the starter, let me know and I'll describe the process.

-Bryan