I have just purchased a 05 psd cc long bed, it seems to need the steering box adjusted due to play in the steering wheel. I tried to get to the adjustment on the steering box and had little luck. any have any idea or hints to help me out.

 

A ling big blade screwdriver should be all it takes. Play in the wheel can be more than just the gear box. Ball joints and tie rods are common wear items, you might want to lift the front end and wiggle things. You shouldn't be able to twist the steering linkage by hand, the hubs should be solid and deflect very slightly when you wiggle your tires.

There are joints in the linkage between the wheel and gear box, I haven't seen mine but I have to assume it's a rag joint. Rag joints can fail from weather, fluids and heat. Have someone move the wheel and watch the gear box input and output for movement.

 

where is the adjustment on the box that i use a screw driver. I found the one with the nut and the allen screw. i agree that the problem could be else where, it just feels like the box to me. i've had a couple in the past feel this way.

 

I could be wrong about the screw driver, I've only looked at the older boxes. It will be in the center of the top hump.

 

The adjuster is the one with the nut and the allen screw. Loosen the nut and turn the allen screw in 1/4 turn at a time while you check things for looseness. Also, do this with the front end off the ground to prevent binding. As soon as the screw starts to get tight, STOP and back it out a half turn, or your steering wheel will not auto correct anymore, but speaking from experience, if your box is trully loose due to wear, then adjustment will do little for you in regards to taking the slop out of the system. Never had much luck adjusting boxes. Found the only way to make it like new again is to put a new box on.

 

adisont; below is the adjustment procedure for the box meshload. However, miker67 is on the money with his advice. I'd be surprised if it helped. The right-up is from the service manual.

Steering Gear Meshload Adjustment

1. NOTE: The engine should not be running.
Turn the steering wheel from right lock to left lock at least once.

2. Remove the driver air bag.
3. Raise and support the vehicle.
4. Remove the drag link nut.
1. Remove the cotter pin.
2. Remove the nut.

5. Separate the arm drag link.
• Using the special tool, separate the steering sector shaft arm drag link.

6. NOTE: The front wheel should not touch the ground.
Lower and support the front of the vehicle.
7. Rotate the steering wheel to the left stop and then rotate the steering wheel back approximately 45 degrees.
8. NOTE: The peak preload torque must be within 0.34-1.36Nm (3-12 lb-in) or a new steering gear must be installed.
Attach an inch pound torque wrench to the steering wheel bolt and slowly and evenly rotate the steering wheel clockwise 1/2 turn (180 degrees).
• Record the peak preload torque.
9. Rotate the steering wheel to its centered position (approximately 1-1/2 turns from either stop). Place the torque wrench on the steering wheel bolt with the handle in the vertical position. Rotate the torque wrench slowly and evenly 1/4 turn (90 degrees) from each side of center.
• Record the peak on-center torque.
10. NOTE: The on-center torque must be 0.28-0.79 Nm (2.5-7 lb-in) greater than preload torque without exceeding a total of 2.15 Nm (19 lb-in). The on-center torque minus the preload torque is the meshload torque.
If necessary, carry out the following steps to adjust the on-center torque.
11. Remove the fan blade assembly and fan shroud.
12. NOTE: Rotate the shaft clockwise to increase and counterclockwise to decrease.

Adjust the sector shaft to the correct rotating torque.
1. Hold the sector shaft and loosen the lock nut.
2. Adjust the sector shaft.

13. Verify that the rotating torque is to specification.
• Readjust if necessary.
14. Tighten the lock nut.
1. Hold the sector shaft.
2. Tighten the lock nut.

15. Install the drag link, nut and cotter pin.

16. Install the fan blade assembly and fan shroud.
17. Install the driver air bag.

 

i've had luck in the past on some and not on others. i'm familiar with how to adjust it. I was needing some tips on how to get to it. the way it looks this was the first thing to go on the truck and everything else was built around it. managed to get the nut loose, but haven't been able to get the allen wrench in a positon to be able to turn it. it was crowded around the screw. thanks for the help.

 

Use one of the allen headed sockets, a swivel/u-joint, and about 18-24 inches of extensions.