Steering adjustment

[NJV6]

My steering seems to have got more and more vague with a fair bit of movement now in the straight ahead position before anything happens.

There is adjustment on top of the steering box but I don't know the correct way to go about it - can someone help? It is a lock nut with a flat head screwdriver fitting on top.

It is a pajero but I know LR have the same setup.

[lneil]

The Zuk's have a similar top adjuster setup. An experienced mechanic told me to back the adjuster off slightly, then very slowly tighten it until the steering JUST starts to bind, then back it off fractionally, ensuring that it remains bind-free throughout the range of travel. Its easiest with two people, so one can swing on the s/wheel while the other CAREFULLY adjusts the steering box. Just make sure the guy/girl on the wheel has sensitive hands and knows exactly what you are trying to acheive.

Make sure you have the engine running while you adjust it, otherwise you can't feel it sensitively enough to detect the onset of binding.

I adjusted mine with the front end jacked up, then re-checked it when down off the jacks. Be very careful to not overtighten the adjuster, the steering box must not bind at all in normal operation.