7" of steering play

triton's best · #1 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 09:28 AM

i finally got tired of driving my truck like they did in the 60's so i changed the short end of the bar coming off my pitman arm with the balljoint, but i only lost 1" of play. i want to know where to access this little screw i have heard of on my steering box that i can adust to reduce play. any links or at least an idea of where it is would be awesome.

biz4two · #2 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 11:37 PM

With the hood open...and looking down on the steering box...you will see a set nut and a screw. To adjust...just loosen the set nut...and turn counter clockwise. Then tighten down the set nut.

Good luck...

biz

Monsta · #3 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 04:50 AM

You'll need an Allen wrench to turn the screw.

triton's best · #4 (**permalink**) 05-18-2008, 03:25 PM

thanks so much. i was so tired of swerving to keep straight if that makes any sense.

triton's best · #5 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 10:35 PM

i adjusted that peice but it only made it harder to turn. i still have all of the play. im going to check other parts such as the pitman arm and other parts that turn my truck to see if there is any play.

triton's best · #6 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 10:37 PM

wait one second. did i want to unscrew the allen bolt?

Monsta · #7 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 11:35 PM

I think you want to TIGHTEN the Allen bolt a bit.

Left loosey, righty tighty.

You SHOULD rule out the other parts anyway.

triton's best · #8 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 11:55 PM

i tightened the allen bolt alot. all it did was make it harder to turn the wheel. i noticed my pitman arm wasnt tightened to the point of the lock washer getting crushed flat. when i turned the wheel to observe i had noticed it shifting up and down a bit. its not so loose that the nut and lock washer arent doing their jobs but i can definitely tighten that. i dont think it will cure 7" but i never know.

69cj · #9 (**permalink**) 05-24-2008, 12:27 PM

There is a procedure for adjusting the steering box and if done incorrectly you will be wearing out the internal worm gear real fast. I have seen them wear to the point that the gear worms were like razor blades.

triton's best · #10 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008, 11:09 AM

k. can you tell me wahat to do so i dont screw myself.

Zedrive · #11 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008, 12:58 PM

Siezing ball joints? [originals have no grease fittings]

Archives.

Keep smiling

triton's best · #12 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 10:31 AM

i give up imma get a new steering box. i get a 20% discount

krewat · #13 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 08:34 AM

Wish I had seen this earlier.

WARNING WARNING WARNING - Tightening the steering box too much can make it seize up when you least expect it. It might not do it when cold, but when it gets hot, things change

7 inches of play is a lot - are you SURE it's in the steering box?

triton's best · #14 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 03:02 PM

im not sure but everything else is as solid as it can get. when i had some1 turn the wheel i could see the shaft turning with the 7 inches of play before the steering box even moved the pitman arm. i made sure i didnt tighten the steering box all of the way. i felt it go in all the way then i backed it out almost a full turn.

krewat · #15 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 05:21 PM

Sounds like the spool valve is just completely worn out - the springs in it are probably all in "very tiny peeeeeeeeces"...

Which is why it got stiff when you tightened it - the pinion-to-whatever clearance isn't the problem. The input shaft goes through a spool valve that when you turn the wheel one way or the other, opens up hydraulic ports in the valve and push fluid one way or another inside the box. It should have a decent amount of resistance when the engine isn't running.

Do you still get 7" of sloppy play when the engines not running?