Power Steering Meshload Adjustment...
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Southern Oregon Coast
Power Steering Meshload Adjustment...
OK so... I was discussing how I did the steering coupler rebuild to the PO of my truck (he didn't know it had fallen apart like that - last time he looked at the coupler, the disk was still mostly there), when he revealed to me something that raised a flag...
Since the steering was loose, he decided to tweak the meshload adjustment on the PS gear....
Now that I've done the rebuild on the coupler, the steering is good and tight (well, a helluva lot tighter than it was, anyway) and I'm wondering if that tweak he did is doing any damage to the gear...
I've been sitting here mulling over the adjustment procedure in the Chilton's book I have (and thinking "Crap, I don't have an inch-pound torque wrench") and a couple of questions come to mind:
1) Is it possible to tell if the meshload is adjusted too tight just by driveability and feel?
2) What kind of damage can occur to the gear by having the meshload set too tight - if it is too tight?
Since the steering was loose, he decided to tweak the meshload adjustment on the PS gear....
Now that I've done the rebuild on the coupler, the steering is good and tight (well, a helluva lot tighter than it was, anyway) and I'm wondering if that tweak he did is doing any damage to the gear...
I've been sitting here mulling over the adjustment procedure in the Chilton's book I have (and thinking "Crap, I don't have an inch-pound torque wrench") and a couple of questions come to mind:
1) Is it possible to tell if the meshload is adjusted too tight just by driveability and feel?
2) What kind of damage can occur to the gear by having the meshload set too tight - if it is too tight?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 668
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From: NW Kans
ideal situation: adjust per specs.
reality option #1: if it works, dont f*** with it. (there is another phrase my votech teacher used, but its a little more graphic.
reality option #2: IF you think its not right, loosen jam nut, SLOWLY adjust while turning wheels back and forth to make sure it doesnt bind. if it was me i'd probably tighten it till it does, than back it off a bit, so you know where you are at. then tighten jam nut. then test drive, in large open area, going slowly, turning wheels back and forth to make sure it doesnt bind. gradually increase speed and keep checking, as long as you can always stop safely if there is a problem.
hope for the best.
reality option #1: if it works, dont f*** with it. (there is another phrase my votech teacher used, but its a little more graphic.
reality option #2: IF you think its not right, loosen jam nut, SLOWLY adjust while turning wheels back and forth to make sure it doesnt bind. if it was me i'd probably tighten it till it does, than back it off a bit, so you know where you are at. then tighten jam nut. then test drive, in large open area, going slowly, turning wheels back and forth to make sure it doesnt bind. gradually increase speed and keep checking, as long as you can always stop safely if there is a problem.
hope for the best.
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 8
From: Southern Oregon Coast
Hmm... Well...
I've been driving this thing 60-miles/day; 5-days/week, since I bought it last fall (it's my only source of transportation to/from my job atm), and I haven't felt any binding that I know of...
However, re-checking the adjustment is probably a good idea anyway...
I've been driving this thing 60-miles/day; 5-days/week, since I bought it last fall (it's my only source of transportation to/from my job atm), and I haven't felt any binding that I know of...
However, re-checking the adjustment is probably a good idea anyway...
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