The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Steering box

Yesterday I adjusted the steering box. 48 3100. It had slop of about 5 minutes on a clock. I followed the book and got the required results. When I finished I noticed there was more tension in the middle than near the ends. Is that normal? The box also had dark colored fluid that stunk like rear gear oil which leaked towards the wheel well. I am thinking of adding penrite steering box fluid from restoration stuff, escodido CA.

Any advice or thoughts?
Thanks

It is normal for the gear to be tighter in the center. If it binds going across center you need to back up the sector adj. a little. If it leaks fluid you need to use a thicker grease. A lot of guys use John Deer Cornhead grease.

The Penrite is a very good choice, expensive but still a good
choice, that'ts what I've been using since I rebuilt my gear
box. Most of the guys are using John Deere Corn Head grease,
which is close to the flow characteristics of the Penrite.
Its a couple bucks a tube vs. fifteen to twenty w/shipping
for the Penrite.

The leakage you're seeing is quite common. Cause is a worn
seal or shaft, usually both. New seal and Speedi Sleeve
will stop that.

Yes, there will be a little more drag in the center of the
movement, check the manual, I believe it addresses that. If
not, there is a film strip that I think Brad has posted here
and it might be on TOCMP, also it comes with a rebuild kit
and you can order the booklet separately.

dg

Thank you for your replies and comments. I'm moving in the right direction.

Thanks

With my new 3.55 gears and tightened steering box I felt very comfortable driving 60 mph on the highway here in Los Angeles.

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

Perfect timing! I picked up a spare steering box I plan to crack open today for a rebuild. That slide show is going to be of great value to me. Thanks Brad.

Set the sector preload so the turning torque at the steering wheel nut increases 10 in/lbs. as the gear passes over center. With the drag link disconnected and an inch-lb. torque wrench on the wheel nut, turn the steering gear through center and record the numbers. For instance, if it takes 10 in/lbs to turn the shaft when approaching the center point, it should rise to 20 in/lbs as it goes over center and drop back to 10 after the high point is passed. If torque rises, drops at center, and rises again, the worm gear is worn out and must be replaced.
Jerry

Thanks to all