11 sep 2000 - I am putting a 1963 1C berlina that has not run for many, many years back onto the road. One of the things that I found is some play on the roller shaft (to which the steering shaft is connected) of the steering box and an adjust screw, which was close to its end of adjustment range.

Note that the steering box of the 1C is a Flavia steering box and slightly different from the other Fulvia steering boxes starting with the 2C. The mounting is the same, so one could mechanically replace a 1C steering box with a later one. The ratio is different though. The 1C steering box is more indirect. For various reasons (a.o. I suspect that the king pin angle is different too) I decided against replacing the steering box with a later type.

The worm shaft (the horizontal one) has conical roller bearings at both ends on the 1C and conical ball bearings on the other types. The roller shaft (the vertical one) has 3 needle bearings.

The work is still in progress, but here are already the bearings and seals sizes (at least I won't forget them myself):

• Nadella DL3020 for the needle bearing at the top of the roller shaft. It is located in the cover of the steering box. Cost appr. € 6 to 7 . Same for 1C and later boxes.
   
• Torrington B1816 or SKF SCE1816 (see below) for the two bottom bearings of the roller shaft. Cost € 10 to 12 each. Same for 1C and later boxes.
   
• 19x30x7 for the seal on the worm shaft. Cost appr. € 1.50. Same for 1C and later.
   
• SB 1.125x1.563x0.250 (inches) for the roller shaft. Cost appr. € 3 . Same for 1C and later.
   
• I turned the filler plug into tutti frutti when trying to get it off. Fortunately I could easily get a new one (steel, not copper) in a "bolts and screws shop". Size is M16x1.50. This filler plug is different from the later steering boxes. Cost appr. € 2.50
   

As I said the work is still in progress. Preliminary conclusions are:

1. The conical roller bearings on the worm shaft are not worn. They have play and thus need adjusting by varying the spacers under the back cover.
    
2. The seal on the worm shaft is bad. Probably due to the play on the bearings of the shaft.
    
3. Worm and roller: no visible wear.
    
4. The 1816 bearings at the bottom of the rollershaft: no play.
    
5. The 3020 bearing at the top of the roller shaft: some play. This might be explained by the fact that it is the first to run dry if the oil level drops and it has to take the pressure from the worm alone.
    

T he observations are similar to those made on a steering box of a 1967 coupe rallye 1.3 and are in my opinion what one could expect on a normally worn steering box.

If somebody can provide the name and part number of a supplier for the conical bearings (roller on the 1C, ball on the others), let me know.

I will add to this section as I get more experience.

Huib, huib@viva-lancia.com

Check lubrication level in steering box. Use steering box oil rather than grease. - Andrew -

Q: I overhauled my steering box, because I want first to eliminate the oil leakage and second to decrease the free play of the steering wheel. I found the two seals of the steering box but in my try to put out the big axle I destroy the two lower bearings. After several tries I found these in Athens (if you are interest about these are SKF and the part number is SCE1816 and are strange bearings with needles ). But the big problem is with the upper bearing because the axle was wear out at the point of touching it . The options that I have are:

1. to give the axle to be shaped to a lathe and to replace the bearing not with a same but with another thicker bearing.
    
2. To replace the bearing with a bush.

An old technician told me that the second solution is much safer, because at the first option there is a danger of making the axle more weak. What is your opinion?

A: I would be against decreasing the diameter of the steering box axle for safety reasons. Perhaps you can fit a suitable metal bush (not the roller bearing type) but I am not clear what kind of material will you use (considering the load) and how you will provide lubrication to it. My first attempt would be to look for another steering box from a broken Fulvia. It should not be so difficult to find one.
Best regards, Andrea