Steering gear rebuild issue

[Seth_O]

My '93 steering gear was leaking, so I pulled it off and resealed using a gates reseal kit. I followed the FSM + the seminal posts on the forum.

However, I only get a few miles of driving (<50) and the sector shaft nut loosens itself and it starts leaking fluid from around the sector shaft adjuster screw.

This one has me stumped. Any ideas what I did wrong that could cause this? Could I have gotten the pre-load too tight? Would that cause this issue?

 

[A2ShedsJackson]

Is it leaking from the top around the adjuster screw or down at the bottom around the bottom of the sector shaft? Does the adjuster screw come loose? Not sure which is the "the sector shaft nut" that you refer to.

 

[Seth_O]

Its 90170-10208 in the image above (top left corner.) Then it leaks out around the bonded washer.

I'm guessing the sector shaft is turning and that turns the nut loose, but I'm not sure why that's happening, or even sure thats the cause?

 

[A2ShedsJackson]

The preload adjusting screw needs to be held in place while the locking nut is tightened. I never tried but if one were to jam the screw down as hard as possible into the sector shaft then I imagine that when the sector shaft gets pushed by the input shaft it could turn the adjusting screw.

 

[LandLocked93]

Was the screw rod loose and jangly at the sector shaft connection?
It should be.

 

[Seth_O]

I've put a couple hundred miles on it since the fix, seems to be working just fine - no leaks.

I ended up backing the adjuster screw off just a little so it was nice and loose and then held it while I cranked the nut down.

 

[LandLocked93]

Ah I see. What was the fix for the adjustment screw malady?

 

[dsmud4u]

This just happened to me last week on my gearbox rebuild from redhead. I tightened the nut on the adjuster screw while holding on to the adjuster screw with some vise grips and I’m hoping it does not come loose again. Otherwise redhead said they will take it back under warranty.

 

[Seth_O]

Ah I see. What was the fix for the adjustment screw malady?

I think the issue was that I had the sector shaft adjuster screw dialed down too tight, so it was binding against the sector shaft. Then when I turned the wheel it was turning the screw and causing the nut to loosen and then leak.

 

[dsmud4u]

I think the issue was that I had the sector shaft adjuster screw dialed down too tight, so it was binding against the sector shaft. Then when I turned the wheel it was turning the screw and causing the nut to loosen and then leak.

Hmm…I’ll keep that in mind if mine comes loose again.

 

[LandLocked93]

This just happened to me last week on my gearbox rebuild from redhead. I tightened the nut on the adjuster screw while holding on to the adjuster screw with some vise grips and I’m hoping it does not come loose again. Otherwise redhead said they will take it back under warranty.

Can you post a pic of the steering box thru the wheel well, level with the top of the adjustment screw? How many screw threads are showing above the lock nut?

 

[dsmud4u]

Can you post a pic of the steering box thru the wheel well, level with the top of the adjustment screw? How many screw threads are showing above the lock nut?

I’ll take a better photo tomorrow but I see about 5 threads showing, just. I do have to 105 sector shaft but I don’t think that makes a difference.

 

[LandLocked93]

Reduce by one thread (4 above nut) and see if the issue goes away.