Hi folks- just a couple notes from last weekends madness here in Austin with the help of SF Don and Drew. The real reason for my post is below this line, but to the SVRA fans I should say that the races at COTA were well attended but much less spectacular than years past. I didn't see any e9's and there was only a smattering of 2002's but the weather was very nice and it's always great to visit with the racers and their cars. Special thanks to Drew and RPM for the free passes 
I think when Drew and Don visit here they are always wondering what I messed up on my e9 since the last time they were here and not to disappoint I managed to completely bugger up my megasquirt map and over-tighten my steering box, which caused an unsafe and uncomfortable driving experience. After don's tung lashing, I have the following to report;
Don't jack with the steering box because it has nothing to do with the steering slop you may have. Steering slop is more likely caused by worn components such as struts, tie rod ends, bushings, ball joints and other steering and suspension components as well as alignment.
Even a quarter turn of the screw can cause binding in the box and this can mimic upside down washer placement in the strut assembly (please don't ask me how I know that).
The lock nut and screw are almost impossible to reach without removing the brake booster (it can be done ...but it is really painful) 3 hours to turn a screw :-(
If you have this problem because you messed with the box and your steering is "muddy" and won't return to center, you need to jack up the front of the car (tires just an inch off the ground is good) and move the wheels by hand back and forth and you will notice that they bind most in the straight ahead position. Loosen the nut and back the screw out a quarter turn at a time and then check for binding; make the adjustment when the wheels are turned to one side or the other as it makes turning the screw easier. When you're done there should be an almost imperceptible resistance at the straight ahead point. Tighten and test (it may take a couple tries and you don't have to lower the car- just turn the wheels again by hand once the lock-nut is tight). Also, loosen the 4 nuts on the back of the brake booster to give you a little extra room.
Not sure if anyone is as dumb as I am to adjust in the first place but if, in a moment of "distraction", you made the error I hope this helps to fix the issue.
Bottom line: just don't adjust it.
I think when Drew and Don visit here they are always wondering what I messed up on my e9 since the last time they were here and not to disappoint I managed to completely bugger up my megasquirt map and over-tighten my steering box, which caused an unsafe and uncomfortable driving experience. After don's tung lashing, I have the following to report;
Don't jack with the steering box because it has nothing to do with the steering slop you may have. Steering slop is more likely caused by worn components such as struts, tie rod ends, bushings, ball joints and other steering and suspension components as well as alignment.
Even a quarter turn of the screw can cause binding in the box and this can mimic upside down washer placement in the strut assembly (please don't ask me how I know that).
The lock nut and screw are almost impossible to reach without removing the brake booster (it can be done ...but it is really painful) 3 hours to turn a screw :-(
If you have this problem because you messed with the box and your steering is "muddy" and won't return to center, you need to jack up the front of the car (tires just an inch off the ground is good) and move the wheels by hand back and forth and you will notice that they bind most in the straight ahead position. Loosen the nut and back the screw out a quarter turn at a time and then check for binding; make the adjustment when the wheels are turned to one side or the other as it makes turning the screw easier. When you're done there should be an almost imperceptible resistance at the straight ahead point. Tighten and test (it may take a couple tries and you don't have to lower the car- just turn the wheels again by hand once the lock-nut is tight). Also, loosen the 4 nuts on the back of the brake booster to give you a little extra room.
Not sure if anyone is as dumb as I am to adjust in the first place but if, in a moment of "distraction", you made the error I hope this helps to fix the issue.
Bottom line: just don't adjust it.
