Source- Chilton’s Auto Repair Manual 1964-1971 (Second Printing, Sept 1975)
Saginaw Recirculating Ball type Manual Steering Gear
The steering gear is of the recirculating ball nut type. The ball nut, mounted on the worm gear, is driven by means of steel balls which circulate in helical grooves in both the worm and nut. Ball return guides attached to the nut serve to recirculate the two sets of balls in the grooves. As the steering wheel is turned to the right, the ball nut moves upward. When the wheel is turned to the left, the ball nut moves downward.
The sector teeth on the pinion shaft and the ball nut are designed so that they fit the tightest when the steering wheel is straight ahead. This mesh action is adjusted by an adjusting screw which moves the pinion shaft endwise until the teeth mesh properly. The worm bearing adjuster provides the proper preloading of the upper and lower bearings.
Before doing the adjustment procedures given below, ensure that the steering problem is not caused by faulty suspension components, bad front end alignment, etc. Then proceed with the following adjustments.
Worm Bearing Preload Adjustment
(front of box where column shaft attaches)
1) Disconnect the ball stud from the Pitman arm, and retighten the Pitman arm nut.
2) Loosen the Pitman shaft adjusting screw lock nut and back off adjusting screw a few turns.( on top of the box)
3) Attach a spring scale Tool J-544 to the steering wheel and measure the pull needed to move the steering wheel when off the high point. The pull should be between 1/8 and 3/8 ft-lb.
4) To adjust the worm bearing, loosen the worm bearing adjuster lock nut (front of box where column shaft attaches) with a brass drift and turn the adjuster screw until the proper pull is obtained . When adjustment is correct, tighten the adjuster lock nut, and recheck with the spring scale again.
Sector and Ball Nut Backlash Adjustment
( nut and screw on top of box)
1) After the worm bearing preload has been adjusted correctly, loosen the Pitman shaft adjusting screw lock nut and turn the Pitman shaft adjusting screw clockwise until a pull of ¾ to 1 1/8 ft-lbs. Is shown on the spring scale. When the adjustment is correct, tighten the Pitman shaft adjusting screw lock nut and recheck the adjustment.
2) Turn the steering wheel to the center of its turning limits (pitman arm disconnected). If the steering wheel is removed, the mark on the steering shaft should be at top center.
3) Connect the ball stud to the Pitman arm, tightening the attaching nut to the proper torque (115 ft-lbs.).
This manual also says to "fill the steering gear with a good quality chassis lubricant".
