Steering gear installation???
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Kiruna, Sweden
Steering gear installation???
I made an installation of an original restored gear box today. I was installing the steering shaft arm (pitman arm) with the bolt and nut for locking it.I thought there was just one place to lock the pitman arm on the steering gear shaft. Is it possible to get the steering gear off center? How can I check it? I hope you understand most of my swenglish! Thanks!!!!
Mats Nilsson, Sweden
Mats Nilsson, Sweden
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From: Kalispell, MT
I don't remember if the sector shaft has an index or not for the pitman arm. With the pitman arm off, turn the steering wheel back and forth to find it's center position. Make sure the wheels/tires are pointed straight ahead. Assemble the pitman arm so it connects to the drag link. That should get you in the ball park!
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Kiruna, Sweden
I am still not sure I did it right. I turned the steering wheel to find the center of the steering gear. But when I was installing the pitman arm I had to turn some of the steering wheel to hit the right position between the pitman arm and the steering gear shaft. Now I dont know for sure if it´s 100% centered or if I had to try once again. Thanks a lot!!
Mats Nilsson,Sweden
Mats Nilsson,Sweden
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Is it fairly close? if it is and you have equal steering side to side but the steering wheel is not centered...that can be fixed by adjusting the tie rod ends.
Drive the truck around the block and take note how far off from center the steering wheel is 1/8th, 1/4, etc from center and to which direction (left or right)
Park the truck on flat ground and loosen the clamps on the adjusting sleeves to teh tie rods on both sides of the drag link.
This is very important!! you will need to turn both sides the same amount and in the same direction or you will mess up your toe-in adjustment of your alignment.
If the steering wheel is off slightly to the left, that translates into the front wheels being turned slightly to the right with the steering wheel centered. In this case you would lengthen the tie rod on the passenger side and shorten the tie rod on the drivers side (assuming the tie rods connect behind the front axle)) Turn them both the same direction about 1/2 to 1 turn and drive around the block again to see how much it moved the wheel. Repeat as necessary.
Good luck with it
Bobby
Drive the truck around the block and take note how far off from center the steering wheel is 1/8th, 1/4, etc from center and to which direction (left or right)
Park the truck on flat ground and loosen the clamps on the adjusting sleeves to teh tie rods on both sides of the drag link.
This is very important!! you will need to turn both sides the same amount and in the same direction or you will mess up your toe-in adjustment of your alignment.
If the steering wheel is off slightly to the left, that translates into the front wheels being turned slightly to the right with the steering wheel centered. In this case you would lengthen the tie rod on the passenger side and shorten the tie rod on the drivers side (assuming the tie rods connect behind the front axle)) Turn them both the same direction about 1/2 to 1 turn and drive around the block again to see how much it moved the wheel. Repeat as necessary.
Good luck with it
Bobby
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Yes you could, providing that you don't have a steering column with a turn signal canceling cam. By moving the wheel and not the shaft you would mess with the canceling cam actuation. If you don't have turn signals in the column, then it shouldn't be a problem at all.
Bobby
Bobby
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From: Kiruna, Sweden
I feel real stupid but I will try once again. My bad english makes it difficult to explain the problem. The steering wheel is not a problem at all becuase it's removed from the truck. I am restoring the wheel and changing the column to an original with aut.shifter(from floor shift).I also replaced the old steering gear box because of the large play in it. When I installed the new steering gear I turned the shaft ( because I had no steering wheel in the truck) to find out the midposition of the steering gear. But when I connected the pitman arm to the steering gear shaft I had to turn some on the steering wheel shaft to find the right position( splines and free space in the shaft for the locking bolt) for the pitman arm. This makes be belive I have my steering gear some off center. Do I have to make adjustments anywhere else or is it possible to install the pitman arm wrong???
I really appreciate your patience!!! Thanks a lot!!!
Mats Nilsson, Kiruna, Sweden
My bad english makes it difficult to explain the problem. The steering wheel is not a problem at all becuase it's removed from the truck. I am restoring the wheel and changing the column to an original with aut.shifter(from floor shift).I also replaced the old steering gear box because of the large play in it. When I installed the new steering gear I turned the shaft ( because I had no steering wheel in the truck) to find out the midposition of the steering gear. But when I connected the pitman arm to the steering gear shaft I had to turn some on the steering wheel shaft to find the right position( splines and free space in the shaft for the locking bolt) for the pitman arm. This makes be belive I have my steering gear some off center. Do I have to make adjustments anywhere else or is it possible to install the pitman arm wrong???I really appreciate your patience!!! Thanks a lot!!!
Mats Nilsson, Kiruna,
Sweden
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Roast em' if you got 'em
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Matt,
Your english is fine.
Some pitman arms are fully splined and can be installed in any position necessary, some pitman arms are matched to the shaft and have a small area that does not have splines. If yours is the kind that has the small area without the splines then it will only go on one way and you will have to make adjustments elsewhere.
If the wheels are centered and you can turn the steering shaft and equal amount to either side then I wouldn't worry about it too much. You can always make minor adjustments later to center the wheel after you get it all back together.
Bobby
Your english is fine.
Some pitman arms are fully splined and can be installed in any position necessary, some pitman arms are matched to the shaft and have a small area that does not have splines. If yours is the kind that has the small area without the splines then it will only go on one way and you will have to make adjustments elsewhere.
If the wheels are centered and you can turn the steering shaft and equal amount to either side then I wouldn't worry about it too much. You can always make minor adjustments later to center the wheel after you get it all back together.
Bobby
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Joe Kucinski
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From: MTNS of NC
Oh I see what you are talking about I think! There is a center mark on the top of the steering shaft where your wheel goes.When you install the worm , with the wheels straight,line up the mark on the shaft to the top and center it up.Then with everything connected,you should have the same number of turns left to right.BTW,when you get the gear and shaft turned the way they're supposed to go , the pitman arm should just slip right on.Hope this helps...FF59
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From: Kiruna, Sweden
Thanks a lot! 
I think I am almost there. I just have to install the new column and the steering wheel and take her out for a test drive. Dont know what to do without you! 
Not a lot of people to ask 150 miles above the arctic circle over here.
I think I am almost there. I just have to install the new column and the steering wheel and take her out for a test drive. Dont know what to do without you! Not a lot of people to ask 150 miles above the arctic circle over here.