Rotary Cassette - clock spring

[Brockflock]

Last year, I had to replace my steering box. Being new at all of this, and fairly incompetent, I wound up wrecking the original Rotary Cassette.
I replaced it with a used replacement from a guy most folks find very reputable, and that one failed after about 3 months.

I just finally replaced it with another used one from yet another reputable guy, and this one worked for a week.

I followed the CD manual instructions, but here I am looking for answers.

I am NOT blaming the guys I bought the parts from, I assume it's not that kind of issue.

Can someone tell me why they fail after they have been installed and have worked successfully for at least a little time?

I am convinced it has something to do with the little plunger on the wheel side of the cassette, but I can't figure it out.

Anybody know what the heck is going on? I don't mind having no airbag, but how do I make my kids jump when they walk in front of the truck when I have no horn!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks.

 

[marc olivares]

sounds like your steering box isnt centered and the clock spring is turning more in one direction than the other. pull off your pitman arm and verify that your steering box is in fact centered to the cassette, then center your steering linkage to your box.

 

[Brockflock]

Thanks, Marc. I'll try that. One further question: Do I need to buy another cassette, or do you think the adjustment will fix it?

 

[sven]

Use a ohm-meter and see if you broke it (check continuity).

 

[Brockflock]

Use a ohm-meter and see if you broke it (check continuity).

Thanks, I was thinking that too. I should have checked it before the install the see if all was okay then, just for future reference purposes.

 

[Brockflock]

sounds like your steering box isnt centered and the clock spring is turning more in one direction than the other. pull off your pitman arm and verify that your steering box is in fact centered to the cassette, then center your steering linkage to your box.

Marc:

I am new at all of this, so I have to ask- Is the Pitman arm the same as the Drop Arm?

Thanks.

 

[marc olivares]

yes, the arm that is splined onto the steering box.

 

[Brockflock]

After doing the continuity test, and finding that no lead was good, I decided to open one of these things up. I have some pics here.

Sorry if the pics aren't sized right - not great with that kind of stuff.

Anyway, here is what I found:

The entire thing is a big ribbon wire. If you wind it too far one way, it can break, too far the other way, it folds, creases the tape and wrecks itself.

The plunger button is actually a lock for purposes of service when the steering wheel has to be removed.

So if removing this for some reason, don't rotate the two sides. Tape it in place, and make sure your steering wheel and front wheels are in the same place they were before removal! It'll save you a lot of trouble.

I had originally thought this might contain some kind of metal roller contacts, but LR decided to go this way instaed.

Hope this helps others in the future.