I know this has been disscused before, but I can't locate a thread that has the proceedure in it. How do i tighten up the worm gear? In which direction do I turn it if i'm standing in front of the truck? I know to make very small adjustments at a time, but I can't remember all the details and it is time to tighten it up again. Everything else is new and in good condition.

 

Loosen the lock nut. I believe you turn the screw clockwise. Than retighten the lock nut. I do it a quorter turn at a time. The lock nut can be a knuckle buster.

 

Loosen the locknut with a box-end wrench, soaking it first with some Liquid Wrench; tighten it no more than a quarter-turn at a time AND TEST IT OUT FROM LOCK TO LOCK!
See, you're most likely doing your adjustment in the center of the travel, where there's the most wear. If you tighten it too much, it'll bind up at full left or full right turn, where there is relatively little wear and things are likely mucher tighter already.

Best procedure is to do like the shop manual says and jack both front wheels off the ground so you can "feel" what you're doing.
Don't get greedy; this isn't a rack & pinion box, so it's never going to feel really tight.

 

Allright, i'm going to give it a try, just wanted to make sure I know what i'm doing first.

 

Try

http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1h/bl136h.htm

Roger

 

if you get it set too tight the steering won't return to center well on its own.just sneak up on it.

 

My steering box has too much play it it. noticed it last year when I bought the truck. Tighting up the worm gear wont make it better just harder to turn. I need a new gear box

 

I tightened the gear in about 1-1/4 turns and 90% of the slop disappeared and no harder to turn either. Just turn the gear in 1/4 turn at a time. Test drive between turns. When the slop doesn't get any better then stop.

Roger

 

Like everyone else said if tighting it makes no difference in slop but just makes it harder to turn then your sector and worm are worn out.