Some of you might remember that about a month ago I posted questions about my leaking steering box. Well, I bought a rebuilt box from a fellow mudder, and when I went to adjust the freeplay on it, I turn the screw clockwise as far as I can and I am still left with about 1 1/2 of play in the steering wheel. I would think that being a rebuilt box that I could get things tighter than that. Am I missisng something as far as adjustments go. When I read the fsm, it just says to loosen the nut and turn the screw in small incriments. Thats what I did, but I was only able to get about 1.25 turns before it would not go any further. It feels like I could probably squeeze a little more out of it if I really tried, but I dod not want to damage my new box. Oh, and when I first installed the box, there was probably 3-4" of play.
An observation I made on my last steering box was that I could adjust it as far as it would go (which still left freeplay) then take it for a drive, come back loosen the nut and then I would be able to turn the screw another 1/4-1/2 a turn but I would not be able to go counterclockwise more than 1/4" . Hopefuly this makes sense. The last thing I noticed on both boxes is that when I do adjust it as far as it can go, the steering wheel does not fully return to the straight ahead position. It will have some return but I know in my other cars the wheel seems to come all the way back without any effort. These boxes are very expensive, and a PITA to install, so I really dont want to mess up my new one. Should I just be happy with 1 1/2 of freeplay? Thanks for any help.
An observation I made on my last steering box was that I could adjust it as far as it would go (which still left freeplay) then take it for a drive, come back loosen the nut and then I would be able to turn the screw another 1/4-1/2 a turn but I would not be able to go counterclockwise more than 1/4" . Hopefuly this makes sense. The last thing I noticed on both boxes is that when I do adjust it as far as it can go, the steering wheel does not fully return to the straight ahead position. It will have some return but I know in my other cars the wheel seems to come all the way back without any effort. These boxes are very expensive, and a PITA to install, so I really dont want to mess up my new one. Should I just be happy with 1 1/2 of freeplay? Thanks for any help.