Any help would be appreciated.

1994 F-150 extended cab, 5.0 2W Drive

Just replaced front end (tie rods, link, steering gearbox, pump, hoses) in my truck today. old gear box had incredible play in it, was hard to drive... Everything is better but the steering wheel is still a little loose for my taste. Ball joints are in good shape. Any tips on adjusting the steering just a bit tighter? Gearbox a rebuilt. Not familiar with adjust meshload.

Thanks!

 

I tightened my adjusting screw 1/8 turn at a time until I was satisfied with the steering. It was fine after 1 full turn.

 

Be careful, tighten it too much and you'll destroy it.

 

Read the book and make sure of exactly what you are adjusting. There probably is no adjustment on your steering box for play. What you are probably adjusting is the preload on the bearings. Be careful not to confuse less play for more resistance.

 

I believe it's the meshload that's adjusted. I adjusted mine in 1/8 turn increments so as not to overdo it. I got less play, not more resistance. If you do overdo it, the steering wheel will not want to return to center.
Can you confuse more resistance with less play? I can't.

 

I just did mine by feel, but I didn't get it perfect. I left it just a touch on the loose side and made sure I could grab one of the front wheels and turn it easily with my hands with the truck jacked up under the i-beams to make sure the box wouldn't be destroyed. There's much less play now. Just don't go too far, and confirm it's the box first by moving the wheel and seeing that the pittman arm doesn't move.