Steering box tightening

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Aug 23, 2009 | 04:24 PM

97biostroke

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From: Gifford, IL

Steering box tightening

Dad's truck likes to wander a little bit going down the road. Doesnt pull, just wont hold straight like it could. On my 97 I tightened up the steering box slightly and it made a world of difference. Can I do it to his 03? Steering pump looks the same, but I dont know if its possible to reach it, and I forgot which way to turn the allen screw once its loosened.

Aug 23, 2009 | 05:11 PM

Going_Going_Gone

Tuned

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From: Arizona

Yes you can do it. Hold the allen screw while you loosen the lock nut and then turn the screw clockwise to increase preload. Try it in no more than 1/4 turn increments as you can tighten it too much and ruin the box. If Dad's is a diesel, you can either attack it from the top (and remove battery, air inlet and filter, CAC tube) or through the wheel well (remove fender liner). Before doing that, I would suggest making sure wheel bearings, steering linkage parts, and ball joints do not have excessive play and then verify that toe is within spec. Incorrect toe will cause an otherwise sound vehicle to have a tendency to "follow" irregularities in the road surface whereas preloading the steering box on such a vehicle would only promote wear and not stop the wandering.

Aug 23, 2009 | 06:11 PM

bismic

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I have read that this is the procedure Ford uses:

Loosen the jamb nut, (nut and set screw combination on top of the box) turn in the set screw till snug (not tight) then back off 1/16th of a turn, and tighten the jamb nut. If you get it too tight it will make the steering difficult.

Aug 23, 2009 | 06:21 PM

97biostroke

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From: Gifford, IL

Its been aligned recently and everythings been check for play and turned up good. Next step looks like removing the wheel well lining or tryin from the top. Thanks guy I appreciate the help.

Aug 23, 2009 | 09:29 PM

cartmanea

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From: Corvallis, OR

Quote:

Originally Posted by bismic

I would NOT set up a worn box this tight. If its 1/16 loose in the middle, it will jam when you turn it a ways. Mine took almost 12 full turns before it got tight, then I backed it off halfway and it is MUCH better, but there is still slack. I've read several places to get it snug and back it off 1/2 turn. Use your judgment, if you have 12 turns of slack like I did, I wouldn't get it too tight, go halfway and see how it drives. I think I'll take half the slack out of mine again next time I get in there, but for now its fine.

Aug 23, 2009 | 10:15 PM

bismic

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Quote:

Originally Posted by cartmanea

Thanks Cartmanea! I appreciate you sharing your experience for sure. My post was only from reading, not doing (as I stated up front).

Aug 23, 2009 | 11:23 PM

cartmanea

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From: Corvallis, OR

Quote:

Originally Posted by bismic

Thanks Cartmanea! I appreciate you sharing your experience for sure. My post was only from reading, not doing (as I stated up front).

I had read that as well before I tightened mine, but every other method was 1/2 turn minimum, so I played it safe. Right now I have about 5/6 full turns of slack (down from almost 2 full turns) and I notice just a little play, maybe 1" of steering wheel travel back and forth. Next time I'm down there I'll tighten it up to probably 1/2 full turns slack and see how it feels.

The problem with over-tightening is the steering gear will just wear out faster if it binds up, therefor I'm keeping it as loose as I deem tolerable to extend the life of the gear. It still has a little slack, but it is MUCH better than it was before.

edit: In my earlier post I was wrong about how much slack I left. It was almost 2 full turns loose originally (eleven 1/6 turns with the allen wrench). I took one full turn of slack out, so it is left at 5/6 turns of slack. I think 1/2 turn of slack would probably be optimal. See how much you have to begin with, if more than 2 full turns, I'd go to 1 full turn slack and see how it feels, then go from there. I was thinking I had counted full turns, but it was 1/6 turns of the allen wrench I had counted... my bad.