Power Steering Box adjustment?

[Wayne]

I'm experiencing excessive play in the steering wheel and don't know for sure what's causing it. I believe the steering box could be a place to start looking, but have never adjusted one. The tie rod ends and steering arms appear to be tight and without any noticable wear. I planning on rebuilding the steering knuckles in the very near future also, but don't think that could be causing the play in the steering wheel. So, what'd ya think?

 

[beardedforlife]

To check my stearing box (mine is a little loose), I just turned the stearing shaft before the box, and I can see how much play i had. Of course I needed a big pair of pliers, a flash light, and a super long go-go gadget neck. Its hard to see and it would be easier to check with 2people. The adjustments are easy using a slotted screw driver and a box wrench. Just do small turns 1/4 or 1/2 turn increments.

 

[GW Nugget]

Yep, just did that this weekend.
A 17mm combo & a very long flat screwdriver. I actually used a 1/4" flat bit & my 1/4" drive extension set. Go a 1/4 turn at a time. I went with half turn but didn't hold it & it went 3/4 turn after tighting jam nut witch was to much, I had to loosen it back to a half turn.

 

[Qball]

Don't make it too tight, if the steering wheel doesn't return to center freely you have it too tight.

Another reason for sloppy/loose steering is your front wheel bearings are loose......ask me how I know. Doh!

 

[Tedward]

If this is over tightened can it be reversed by simply adjusting back the other way? I didn't over do it but was afraid to....

 

[izzyandsue]

I recommend to leave that box alone first, check the steering stabilizer, and all front bushings (rubber) for play. Change them if needed as they decay and get sloppy steering. I played with the box first, don't make my mistake, that washer can tear (again by age) and I had huge power steering fail in the trails, pain in the ass.

 

[mudderfugger]

I rebuilt and replaced front wheel bearings and installed Trail Gear Steering linkage kit. I have a good deal of play about 30* of play :/ I will try the adjustment first. can a rebuilt box resolve this issue, my box isn't leaking just has excessive play, what do they rebuild to fix the slop?

 

[Wayne]

mudderfugger, go to this thread for the rebuild

Steering gear box rebuild

 

[Tools R Us]

Remember, due to the design of the reciprocating ball box and straight axle it will always have significantly more play than a rack, IFS setup. So, have your expectations correct for the system, IIRC the spec is ~1.5" of play at the steering wheel rim.

 

[Slomo]

Like the post above said check your rubber bushings very closely. I had a sporadic loose steering issue and I checked multiple times but finally on the fourth check I realized one of my radius arms was off-center in the bracket attaching it to the axle. Turns out the bushing sleeves in the center had completely separated from the vulcanized rubber around them but most of the time it lined up so you couldn't actually tell.

 

[Tapage]

what I do to tight up a bit my steering box it's just do in 1/8 increments .. and spin test. ( it might take several days to make sure steering wheel it's returning in a curve )

 

[Whileemptyheadsdream]

That steering box Is a HUNK of Iron, about 39LBs. I'm not saying that's not your problem but I would look there last. Tools R Us said It right spec is 1.5 Inches of play, sloppy by new steering R and P standards. Maybe just needs tightened ft bearings. Good Luck..!

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Yes-the box is rarely the source of the problem, and, it's easy to get the adjustment wrong and kill the box in short order.

If you really think the box is the problem, look up the adjustment on YouTube. It isn't just a matter of tightening the adjustment screw. I would disconnect the drag link, then adjust for minimum (but not zero) play at the Pittman arm with the wheels pointed straight ahead.

Saginaw (GM) boxes work the same and adjust the same, so look it up and be very careful. If your box is too tight (heh!), the steering won't self center and it will wear out in short order.

And, when you order that washer under the adjuster nut with the O-ring that's part of the washer, order like 3 of them. It's a critical piece and easy to damage.

 

[Rusco]

Also: play while stationary and play while driving are two separate situations. More play while driving than stationary can be a function of toe, usually "in" too much, oddly enough.

 

[Dragos80]

I'm reviving this thread so I don't have to open a new one.

How do you guys get to the steering box nut?
Do you have to remove the battery tray?

 

[surfpig]

I'm reviving this thread so I don't have to open a new one.

How do you guys get to the steering box nut?
Do you have to remove the battery tray?

You can get a wrench to it through the wheel well.

 

[Dragos80]

Thanks.
You got me started on this yesterday, so I looked at it today but couldn't figure out how to get to that nut. Between the radiator and the engine there is hardly any room to turn a wrench.. It made more sense to me if I were to come from the battery compartment (having to remove everything in the way of course).

 

[Dragos80]

Am I looking at the wrong nut?
Is it the one you can see is you look perpendicularly down from the corner of the battery tray?

 

[surfpig]

You mean the nut in the mirror?



Yeah, the one on the top of the box, with the slotted stud thingie in the middle of it. Just pull off the rubber mud guards from inside the wheel well and you can get at it from there. I was actually able to get it from under the hood, but I have teeny hands.

 

[Dragos80]

You can see it in the second picture.
I was afraid to pull on those mud guards because I am known to break all of them in the process.
I tried to fit a wrench in there going in from the radiator, I barely got to it, but I also think it's not a 17mm size nut. Maybe 16mm or smaller.

Reading the repair manual I found out that a 40mm free play is normal. I had my son play with the steering wheel while I watched the shaft and the linkage up front and I am not positive I need to adjust the box. The linkage moves while the steering wheel is being turned as in the perceived free play.
Maybe it is normal and I just don't know what normal is on TLC, but comparing it to other cars it's a little more than what I would like it.