Steering box adjustment
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 573
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From: Medina, Tn.
Steering box adjustment
I decided to adjust my steering with the sector shaft adjusting screw on the gear housing. I adjusted it about 1/4 a turn closkwise and then tightened and then drove it and it was much better so I decided to turn it a little more. Well, somehow I screwed it up and it is very tight regardless of its' position. Does anyone know the fail safe way to get it back pretty close to factory specs ? Kind of like a carb when you turn the screw in all the way and then back it out a certain amount.
Thanks for helping guys. I have to go to Memphis tomorrow and hate to drive it when it is tight.
Thanks for helping guys. I have to go to Memphis tomorrow and hate to drive it when it is tight.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 84
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Take the top plate off and then readjust the ride height by using the adjuster screw. The plate will set flush when the adjustment is close. Be sure to occasionally wiggle the steering wheel to be sure the drive gear is seated properly on the worm gear.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati USA
I have an 85 Bronco with loose steering i thought about trying to
adjust the steering box. but read this is something that shouldn't
be done without proper tools? how hard is this adjustment you
have described for the average do it yourselfer?
Thanks in Advance,
Tim
adjust the steering box. but read this is something that shouldn't
be done without proper tools? how hard is this adjustment you
have described for the average do it yourselfer?
Thanks in Advance,
Tim
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
From: Medford, OR
Where is the steering box located and what exactly would I be looking for to adjust? My steering is very sloppy as well.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 84
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Before you go tearing into the box, try to locate the area that is giving so much play. It may not be the box, but tie rod ends or a worn out steering column. Just have someone turn the wheel back and forth with the vehical off and with it on. Notice every movement before the box and after. Remember, the box it self is a simple worm gear drive that really has very little adjustment to it. You may simply need to tighten the bolts holding the box to the frame, or replace a rag or bell joint at the input shaft for the box. Please, check all of these first, the box is easy to get out of wack.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati USA
all my tie rods and pittman arms are new. new ps pump and lines.
Box is tight against the frame. I am thinking box worn out or the
steering shaft. This has the same kinda play in my steering as a
old CJ-7 I had it was the steering gear. but you know its a 17yr
old vehicle so I think i'll replace both the steering gear and the
shaft. afterall I am rebuilding this.
Thanks,
Tim
Box is tight against the frame. I am thinking box worn out or the
steering shaft. This has the same kinda play in my steering as a
old CJ-7 I had it was the steering gear. but you know its a 17yr
old vehicle so I think i'll replace both the steering gear and the
shaft. afterall I am rebuilding this.
Thanks,
Tim
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Warren, MI
I just did it.
Guys like they said, get 2 ppl, or if u have long arms, row your window down and try to do it your self.
What I did:
1. Pop hood
2. Locate stearing shaft & gearbox
3. Start car
4. Turn wheel
5. Watch to see what is turning.
-- on mine the stearing shaft into the GB was turning but the linkage after the GB was doing nothing, assuming that my GB was loose.
5. Mine was a 5/8 bolt, loosend that about 2 turns, held that posisiton and turn the shaft a total of 2 different times.
-1st time was about 1/4 turn
-2nd time was about 1/3 turn
There is still about 1/10 of a turn of play, where as before there was about 1/4 of a turn of play (a lot!).
Feels great now, im gonna drive it for a 1000 or so miles and see how it does.
Good luck, also i sprayed some bolt buster the day before and it came off pretty easy.
Adam
Guys like they said, get 2 ppl, or if u have long arms, row your window down and try to do it your self.
What I did:
1. Pop hood
2. Locate stearing shaft & gearbox
3. Start car
4. Turn wheel
5. Watch to see what is turning.
-- on mine the stearing shaft into the GB was turning but the linkage after the GB was doing nothing, assuming that my GB was loose.
5. Mine was a 5/8 bolt, loosend that about 2 turns, held that posisiton and turn the shaft a total of 2 different times.
-1st time was about 1/4 turn
-2nd time was about 1/3 turn
There is still about 1/10 of a turn of play, where as before there was about 1/4 of a turn of play (a lot!).
Feels great now, im gonna drive it for a 1000 or so miles and see how it does.
Good luck, also i sprayed some bolt buster the day before and it came off pretty easy.
Adam
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Steering box
There is an adjustment procedure. You are setting the meshload. Need to raise vehicle , disconnect the steering gear sector shaft arm. Remove steering wheel hub cover. Disconnect fluid return line at pump if power steering. Using a torque wrench dial type lb-in. Rotate steering wheel back and forth across center postion. You want 15-17 lb-in.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: Medina, Tn.
OK, I finally got it back to normal and am going to wait a few days to verify that it is still as loose before I try to adjust it again. Anyway, I loosened the 2 bolts that hold the plate on and then turned the wheel back and forth and then losened the adjustment screw. I did this about 10 times before I tightened it back up and realized that I was back to where I started. What a relief because the rebuilt gear box is about $159. plus 1.5 to 2 hours to swap. When I readjust again, I'll post my results in detail.
Thanks guys,
Thanks guys,
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