Steering box question

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 2, 2015 | 09:53 AM

BocceMon

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 139

Likes: 0

From: N.E Oregon

Steering box question

This weekend while changing out my headlight assemblies I dropped a nut beneath the truck. While retrieving the nut I glanced at my steering box and became somewhat alarmed. Is it okay that the lock washer is not completely collapsed? I am not having steering problems. The linkage felt tight & I could not move the nut by hand. I do not have a large enough tool to grasp it. Someone evidently tightened it with a pipe wrench in the past judging by the jaw marks. Is this something I should concern myself about?

Mar 2, 2015 | 10:03 AM

exranger06

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 482

Likes: 5

I would get the appropriate tools (which includes a torque wrench!) and make sure it's torqued to spec. That's one fastener where you do NOT want to say "Eh, it should be fine."

Mar 2, 2015 | 09:46 PM

TexasGuy001

Hotshot

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 11,958

Likes: 228

I'd check it too.

Mar 2, 2015 | 10:18 PM

Bruners4

Elder User

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 501

Likes: 0

From: Lincoln, NE

I would also check it! You could stop by your favorite maintenance shop and have them check it. Cheaper than buying the tools yourself or crashing!

Mar 2, 2015 | 11:39 PM

BocceMon

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 139

Likes: 0

From: N.E Oregon

Thanks guys! I'll have it checked and post back.

Mar 2, 2015 | 11:45 PM

Tedster9

Post Fiend

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 19,311

Likes: 97

From: Waterloo, Iowa

Not to get all profound or nothin', but ever notice how we find stuff when we're not really lookin' for it? A dropped bolt and there it is... Hey what's up with this??

That's why a good vehicle checklist is important, take the time to really check things out, and make it a habit.

Mar 7, 2015 | 01:33 PM

BocceMon

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 139

Likes: 0

From: N.E Oregon

Good morning guys. I went out this morning and put a pipe wrench on that nut & was surprized at how loose it was. It took three whole revolutions to get it where it was tight. I tightened it as much as I could. I am going to rent a torque wrench and appropriate socket from NANA tomorrow. Can anyone tell me what the correct torque is?

Thanks for being here guys. I could have had a real disaster.