The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Steering issues 41 stakebed

Hello all-

I removed my steering box and was cleaning and adjusting it to take all the slop out, and boy was there was a lot of slop. What I found was the force needed turn the wheel became progressively more difficult when turning to the left vs turning to the right. This must be symptomatic of something but with my limited knowledge I do not know what it means.
Could someone help me out please.
Also if I need to open the box up where is a good place to track down gaskets.
Thanks
Andy

I use Silicone in place of gaskets on steering boxes.
I would recommend pulling the box apart and giving it a good cleaning and inspection.

Thanks Dave

OK so I took it apart. Turns out the steering shaft is bent . Any ideas where to get a new one

The steering shaft was not welded to the worm in a very accurate way from the factory, new ones can seem bent. That does not mean yous is not bent. They get bent from the mounting bolts working loose causing the box to pivot, putting stress in the shaft and mast jacket.
I have straightened a number of them. It does not have to be perfect as there is some flex in the shaft and the mast jacket bearing at the top of the column keeps it centered for the steering wheel.

Thanks

Put the box back in and still have the same issue, There is still about 90 degrees of slack in the wheel. I have tightened the worm gear adjuster as tight as I can get it that still allows the wheel to be turned. Any ideas on what my next step should be?

There are several things that can cause play in steering.
First, when you say you tightened the worm adjuster are you talking about the slotted adjustment with a lock nut on the side cover? Or are you talking about the worm thrust adjustment?
Did you look at the worm and balls for looseness?
Of course there is also a chance of drag link, tie rod or bad king pins to consider.

I adjusted the large cylinder at the bottom of the box. The one with the large slot across it. The slack is completely in the box. Watching the pitman, it does not move until hits a curtain point. I would say it is lash on the worm gear but I have limited knowledge on these things, and since I honked that cylinder down until the steering wheel would not move then backed it back out a bit, I'm at a loss

Lash is taken up my the adjuster on the side cover.
I would recommend you read through the manual in this link.

I also recommend reading this,

https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/sets/72157632210242370/

The pitman shaft teeth can be worn to the point that you can not remove all the lash. It's most noticeable in the straight ahead position. If yours gets tight at each end, and loose in the middle, chances are the teeth are worn. Finding a pitman shaft is a lot easier then finding the long steering shaft. Also, look at the end of the long shaft where the bearing race is machined into it. When water gets in the base, it all settles right at this race and bearing. Bearings are available and the upper race, the lower one is part of the shaft. I used a shaft from a COE in mine due to pitting, the lower section is the same, but the shaft length is longer. I simply cut out a section and welded back together.

When ordering parts, be sure they fit 1941, the 42-46 gear boxes look the same, but the roller balls are a different diameter in the '41.

Joe