Steering box spacer/Shim pulling = less steering slop maybe?

[captahab18]

Hey,

A few newb questions.

Will pulling the couple of shims in my worm driven steering box for my stock 73 fj40 cruiser help with any of the play I have in the steering wheel? I recently slapped on new tie rod ends and I am trying to make it as tight as a cruiser can get.

I had the wife turn the wheel to and fro only to observe that the play seems to occur in the steering gear box itself.

Should I try giving the sector shaft some tigtening? I've read if its too tight you can screw it up.

If the slop was in the infamous draglink would I notice the pitman arm moving and the draglink slow to respond?

There is about four or five inches of slop on the big stock steering wheel. Are there any other solutions or suggestions apposed to replacing the guts of the steering gear? Or am I rooted and its all worn assed out?

Thanks,

-Gary

Also I am popping my cruiser cherry tomorrow for the first time as I am doing my front axle rebuild.

 

[IDave]

Gary,
The center arm is a very common source of excessive play, and I would take a close look at that, with your assistant on the steering wheel, to see if it is involved. A center arm rebuild is far easier and cheaper than the work on a steering box.

If the problem really is mostly in the steering box, you may find yourself replacing the worm gear, among other things. I ended up getting a rebuilt box from SOR, myself.

I should say that 2 inches of play is factory standard and achievable on these non PS rigs. But I found that an accessory steering damper (aftermarket) makes a significant difference, even with everything rebuilt/replaced to stock specs.

 

[65swb45]

Gary,
The center arm is a very common source of excessive play, and I would take a close look at that, with your assistant on the steering wheel, to see if it is involved. A center arm rebuild is far easier and cheaper than the work on a steering box.

I am with Dave on this. While your 'assistant rocks the wheel from side to side, look under your front bumper to see if the center arm is rotating back and forth, or rocking back and forth. Rocking is BAD. Refer to the manual on adjusting this.

73 and newer boxes are usually rebuildable. Out of 50 or so that I have done at the shop, only 1 was too far gone to take to the rebuild.

I respectfully disagree with Dave on the 2" thing tho. I have zero slop, 100% responsiveness from the factory components on my 65 daily driver. It is definitely doable. Don't settle for less.

Mark

 

[IDave]

Zero slop! According to one manual I read, 1.5-2 inches was standard. But I see now that in my 71 owner's manual, it should be less than .79 inches. I'm at 1.473 inches. Another goal to achieve! I'll never get any sleep!