Steering wheel slop

Tail_Gunner

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Not long ago I inquired about adjusting the steering box:

I just got back from a 5 day camping trip and noticed my steering seems to have a bit of excessive play in it. I can wiggle the wheel about 2" without the truck reacting as I go down the highway.

I know the steering box is adjustable. But which way do you turn the screw to take out some slack? In or out? Any suggestions as to how many turns to try? Is it rather touchy or should it take 2 to 3 turns?

I adjusted the screw today and can report the wheel is a lot tighter than before. I used to be able to wiggle the wheel on the highway about 2" with no noticeable reaction from the truck. I adjusted the screw in about 1 1/2 turns until I felt some increased resistance. I then backed off about 1/8 turn to ensure I didn't overtighten it. I took it out for a drive and can report it is A LOT BETTER!!!! Before about 2" of slop, now maybe a 1/2" at best. ;tu

Those cross winds with the camper in tow should be much more manageable now.
 

camocrewcab

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Did the same thing to mine couple days ago. How you adjusted yours is the way I was taught how to adjust a steering box.
 

Potentialbuyer

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If you want to get rid of that last bit of slop, disconnect the pitman arm or center link and remove the driver's air bag. Check the preload torque of the steering box with an inch pound beam type torque wrench. You need to have the steering wheel turned about 1/2 turn off of center to check the preload torque. Turn the wheel back and forth off center with the inch pound torque wrench. It should be about 2-10 inch pounds for a new box. You may not be able to measure anything for a used box. The screw on top of the box adjusts the on-center mesh load of the box, not the preload. You have to take the box apart to adjust the preload. To adjust the on-centermesh load, turn the wheel through the center position with your inch pound torque wrench and it should be 5-9 inch pounds greater than your preload torque. If you can get 5 inch pounds of on center torque out of your steering box, you probably will get rid of that last bit of play. Gil
 

JRJ04

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TG, where is the jamb nut on the steering box located? Better yet, where is the box located? I've got quite a bit of play in mine too and I'd like to tighten it up.
 

02SilverStroke

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Good info. When I was a kid, we had a Farmall "A" tractor and steering wheel could be turned almost a complete circle before the front wheels would turn. We didn't use it much so it wasn't much of an issue. Our trucks, of course, are a much different issue. I'll probably check mine to see if it needs tightening.
 

JRJ04

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Gotta revive this thread again...

I've still got the slop and have not gotten around to tightening the box. I'm hesitant to do this because im afraid if I adjust it my steering wheel wont be centered while im going down the road (in other words id have to turn it to the right to keep the truck going straight).

Will tightening up this nut affect this at all?
 

DaveBen

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No effect on the steering wheel. You are adjusting pre-load on the box.

Not entirely. The nut/bolt on top of the steering box tightens the sector gear to the worm gear. If you go too much you will jamb the two gears together and that will cause binding. Do as Tail Gunner says.

Dave
 

JRJ04

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So bottom line here...as long as i don't over tighten it, this should not have any effect on the alignment of the steering wheel?
 

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