I've currently got an issue with a bit too much play in the power power steering box. After putting the front axle on jack stands, I can move the steering wheel back and forth and watch the input side of the box/shaft rotate, and not see any corresponding movement in the output/sector shaft. This makes for an almost continual adjustment, especially on pavement that isn't quite flat, etc.
Doing some reading it seems that improperly balanced tires are a big cause of premature gear wear in steering boxes. The PS fluid was quite bad when I bought it. Poorly balanced tires and bad fluid were right up the alley of the Previous Owner and I could see that contributing to excessive gear wear in the box.
I have tried adjusting the small adjusting nut but that has not helped at all.
So, I suspect that the box is in need of some TLC and the gears are overly worn inside the box. However, I'm not sure of the approach to take. I have no issues spending the money to send the box to West Texas offroad to reseal/rebuild if necessary. Same with new sector shaft/pitman arm. However, I don't want to go down that path if the issue will persist after that work.
Cruiser drives great and caster was corrected with MAF 2.5" drop brackes, which match how much lift I am getting out of my 850's in front. I rebuilt the PS pump along with the high pressure and return lines last year. No groaning and no leaks from the system.
Any insight from folks?
Picture from 96r50's thread. I suspect this is one gear that may be too worn down, along with the sector shaft
Doing some reading it seems that improperly balanced tires are a big cause of premature gear wear in steering boxes. The PS fluid was quite bad when I bought it. Poorly balanced tires and bad fluid were right up the alley of the Previous Owner and I could see that contributing to excessive gear wear in the box.
I have tried adjusting the small adjusting nut but that has not helped at all.
So, I suspect that the box is in need of some TLC and the gears are overly worn inside the box. However, I'm not sure of the approach to take. I have no issues spending the money to send the box to West Texas offroad to reseal/rebuild if necessary. Same with new sector shaft/pitman arm. However, I don't want to go down that path if the issue will persist after that work.
- For those that had play in their steering and have resealed the box, was the excessive play resolved by the reseal?
- Would replacing the Sector Shaft help with the excessive play? Since this is replacing half of the gears that might be worn down?
- Is the Power Piston/Worm gear (I think this is what it's called, the piece with the gear teeth that the sector shaft meshes with) an available, replaceable part? If so, is it worth replacing this piece along with the sector shaft so that both gears are new?
Cruiser drives great and caster was corrected with MAF 2.5" drop brackes, which match how much lift I am getting out of my 850's in front. I rebuilt the PS pump along with the high pressure and return lines last year. No groaning and no leaks from the system.
Any insight from folks?
Picture from 96r50's thread. I suspect this is one gear that may be too worn down, along with the sector shaft