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8/15/23: With predicted rain in the forecast, it offered me a chance to get some work done on my truck. For awhile third gear has been grinding if I don’t wait long enough between shifts to third, especially when the tranny warms up. I been wanting to check the fluid thinking it may be the cause of this issue (hoping it’s not the synchro). I do have a drip at the seal between the torque tube and the tranny, so I suspected it would be low. Today I got a chance to to top it off. It took more than 8 ozs. I do hope it solves the issue.

Additionally, a few years ago, after rebuilding my front suspension (springs, king pins, tie rod ends,etc.), I finished the job by adjusting my steering box. I had bought a digital fish scale (0-60 lbs) hoping it would be accurate enough but never felt that it was adjusted right. Last year, after getting a tip about using a scale to measure the trigger pull on a firearm, I purchased one that measures by the 1/4 lb. up to 8 lbs. The adjustment is fairly easy but getting clear access to some of the adjustment screws on the steering box is another story altogether.

I had previously fabricated a tool that attached to a 3/8” ratchet for loosening the large locking nut when I last did this adjustment, but getting a wrench in that area was complicated by hard tubing I added to my oil filter requiring removal of the inlet tube. Making the worm gear adjustment did not go according to plan. It didn’t want to move at all. I had to get creative by using a hand impact screwdriver tip (large), coupled to a couple of long extensions to a tee handle with access laying on my back under the truck. This gave me the leverage I needed to make this adjustment. A few too many trips laying on my back to testing tension on the steering wheel and the adjustment was finalized. After that everything buttoned up quickly.

I haven’t test drove her yet because it was still raining when I finished, but I’m sure I did it right this time. Looking forward to seeing if my work improved things.