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i adjusted my steering box today, and was just wondering something. ive heard if you get it too tight, it will bust the gears in it. is this true, and if so, how do you know how tight you can get it? I was afraid to go too tight.
Yes, you can go too tight. I'm not sure as to the procedure, but I have an origional set of factory repair manuals for my '67 I can look at for ya if it covers the same box you have. What year is yours? Is it manual or power?
there is a inch foot lb. spec. turning the wheel over center with linkage disconnected
or you can just tighten a little at a time until it feels to tight when turning the wheel and backing the adj. of a little bit.
I got the same problem with my 72 4x4, I turned it till the nut bottomed out and I still had a lil play in it, I read here not to do that and loosend it 1/3 of a turn.I still have play but not as bad and I took a 60 mile round trip yesterday and im still around and so is the truck.Power steering will be a priority next on this truck If I still have it before next summer (may trade it for a dodge same year but p/s a/c)
I had the same problem with my '69 steering gear box. I was told that you have to jack the front end and get both front tires off the ground to adjust the box correctly. You don't want to get it too tight because you'll kill the worm gear inside the box. Just adjust the box until you are satisfied with the play/usable distance ratio. Just a note, my truck is 2wd.
Technically you're suppose to disconnect the linkage from the pitman arm and use the torque spec. but you can raise the front end and do it that way if you got a good "feel" for how tight it should be.