Steering Adjustment

[kfanta]

In reading several posts regarding adjusting the steering gearbox I decided to give it a try. I estimate I have about 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch in play in the steering wheel (in other words I can turn the steering wheel that far right or left before anything noticable happens. In my first attempt I tightened the adjustment screw 1/8 of a turn and took it out for a drive it really did not feel any better. I then did a second 1/8 of a turn and same results. Now before we go down the radius rods path. The road I drove was extremly smooth and I tested the steering once I was a 55-60mph not while accelerating or braking.

So I am guess I should turn the adjustment screw back 1/2 turn (two 1/8 turns) so that is it back to where it was and begin to see if there are other areas I can look to to firm up the steering. I believe I am next going to try replacing the tie rod at the pitnam arm end as that was another suggested idea. I did replace the bushing on the sway bar...they needed it. I easily got the old one's off but had to work to put the new ones on...

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Please let me know your opinions on the the steering box adjustment.

Thanks

[FamilyRide]

It may be a typo, but 2 1/8's is 1/4, not 1/2. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

If you actually did go 1/8 turn 2 times, you may not have gone far enough. I haven't done it, but it's been said go in small increments until you notice it's better. That said, you also do not want to go too far or bye bye gear box.

Can you have someone turn the wheel to see if you can tell how much actual play in the box there is?

[kfanta]

I realized this morning that my math was incorrect...You are correct it is only at 1/4 turn right now. Also it did feel a lot better this morning when driving...but I am very leary about turning it to far as I don't want the "bye bye gear box" to happen. Before I adjust it any farther I am going to try replacing the tie rod at the pitman arm end as it was another in expensive suggestion.

I was hoping that someone who has done this adjustment (steering box) can tell me how far they had to turn the screw for it to feel better. That way I can know if I am at the low end or high end of the adjustment. Like I said I started with about 3/4 of an inch in play in the steering wheel. And at slow speeds going over bumps in the road you could actually feel the wheels being turned by the bump and then you had to correct the steering very freaky...

[edwin]

The 1/4 turn you did was not probably enough. This is the best way I can describe it. Wheels on ground steering straight. Make sure steering wheel is unlocked. Engine off. From the engine compartment twist the steering shaft back and forth lightly. If there is play in the sector shaft or steering gear you will be able to feel it. Turn in the allen screw to take the play out then tighten it about a 1/8-1/4 after that. When you are twisting the steering shaft back and forth you might feel some play in the steering shaft slip joint. Dont confuse that with the play in the gearbox. Tighten locknut. Test drive. Done. As far as how much they are all going to be different. On my truck 135k I have tightened mine about a turn and a half from when I bought it.

The right way to do it is pitman arm disconnected, inch lb torque wrench on the input shaft. Rotate the input shaft form stop to stop. Somewhere around center it will build up a rotating torque (the gears are cut to mesh tighter in the center position) resistance of around 10-15 in lbs. Remember this inch lbs not ft lbs.