I assume the play in my steering wheel is in the steering box, anyone know how to adjust out the play? Already replaced tie rod. thanks!!

 

You need to get someone to turn the wheel while you watch the shaft itself and see whether or not the shaft itself moves left and right. Could be the bushing worn out. Happened to me on my 97 Chevy.

 

There's a stud on top of the box with a locking hex nut on it. Loosen the hex nut and using an allen key on an extension, rotate the stud clockwise to tighten the gear lash and CCW to loosen. Be careful and go in small increments. Too much and you can lock up the gears and put the steering in a bind.

 

To add to Texas Outlaws post, make sure your wheels are straight and it helps to get the tires off the ground. You should make darn sure the slop isn't somewhere else before you do this. You can ruin a steering box pretty quick.

 

Also check the nut that holds the pitman arm on the tapered shaft, I know Scott had a thread not too long ago about his loosening up since there was no lock washer on it. I had this happen on mine where the previous owner had a 4'' lift installed and the drop arm was not tightened to spec, when I got the truck I got maybe another full turn and a half out of the nut and took most of my play out.

 

I have adjusted mine and had good luck with it so far. Another post mentioned that coming out of a turn the wheel should straighten back up on its own. If it does'nt loosen it up till it does. I think this would require proper aligning for this to be achived. If it's overtightened it could lock up or cause the gear box to wear out prematurley.

 

Locate the allen bolt and locknut on top of the steering box. It’s close to the radiator. The locknut should be a 5/8".

Mark the allen bolt so you’re oriented and know where the starting point is, then loosen the locknut. Turn the allen bolt clockwise a quarter turn to tighten the gear mesh. Tighten the locknut and road test your vehicle.

Be careful not to over-tighten the allen bolt. If you do, the steering may become too tight and get extremely stiff during a tight turn, possibly causing you to drive off the roadway.

Keep repeating the sequence, turning the allen bolt a ¼ turn at a time, followed by a test drive, until you're satisfied with the performance. If you over-tighten the allen bolt, turn the allen bolt back a quarter turn, counter-clockwise.

There is a risk of over tightening the box and causing it to wear out prematurely, so I suggest you tighten it to the point where the slop is gone, and no further.

Most people will turn the allen bolt three-quarters of a rotation to one and one half rotations before they’re happy with the results.

Stewart

 

Thanks Stewart. It was partly your post that got my steering much nicer!!

 

I have helped 3 trucks using the same procedure that Stewart posted. But one of my friends needed a new steering gear box. The Red Head worked great.

 

I, too, used it to get what I needed AFTER checking all the steering and suspension parts for wear and play. If you don't you risk treating a symptom and not the actual illness.

 

Thanks guys for the infor.I'll take the adjustments slowly and a little at a time!

 

Anyone had pics of this box? I assume it's the hexagon shaped one at the end of the steering rod.
C

 

Is it #6 in this pic:

http://www.trademotion.com/schematic...al/T140085.gif

 

So this procedure could help the constant course correction I need to make on my 7.3 with 202k miles?

I have new Michelin tires, recent alignment, new ball joints, and all new steering linkage. And still...back and forth and back and forth goes the steering wheel as I drive down the highway.

The steering dampener is also relatively new. Maybe 40k miles....

 

Yes, it could help.

Stewart