Was adjusting the gear box today , turning in 1/4 turn at a time and then test driving each time.... each time it got slightly better... now i am 3 full turns in from where i started! does this seem like to much? no binding lock to lock, would i feel it or know it if i went to far? should i keep going in? . don't want to push it , driving way tighter than before ! thanks

 

Steering box adjustments can deceiving. If you are 100% sure that everything else in the steering system is functioning properly, then you can adjust the steering box. All your actually doing is raising (or lowering can't remember) the sector shaft gear relative to the phenolonic piston. You can get your steering tight initially by over adjusting, but it will wear more quickly, thereby releasing metal powder goo (technical term) into the steering boxes internals. Not the best thing for bearings or veins or anything else for that matter, it actually makes it wear out faster!

When tracing steering problems. Always start from the bottom up. Check the tie rod ends while having someone rocking the wheel. then the track bar bushings and bolts.

Make sure the pitman arm is tight (I have seen this on many occasions be the problem.)

Look for flexing problems, as in loose bolts holding the steering gear on. Or the tie rod or drag link bending in slightly. Maybe the frame is twisting. Check it over good.

Next you have the rag joint on the front of the gear box. And the u-joint at the firewall.

If all that checks out. The truck should drive awesome even with a loose steering box, but this is the point you'd want to tighten it up.

I ran 38s and 44s for years with out ever making adjustments to the steering gear, it's really just about making sure all the components are up to the task.


Now if your box has been rebuilt.. then there is a good chance the steering gear never was adjusted properly to begin with, and that would explain the 3 turns.

I have said all this not to doubt your mechanical skills, you have probably done your homework and have picked over the steering system with a fine toothed comb, it's just I have seen too many people try to fix there steering by only tightening the box. Crazy I know, but I was there once...