The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun Steering adjustment?

My son recently bought a “completely” restored 1948 Chevy 1 ton stake body, beautiful, but in need of work after 7 years storage. Taking care of the getting it running end, but the steering has 8 to 10 inches of play. Have never adjusted a steering box, but that seems to be too much to expect just an “adjustment” to accommodate. Looking at rebuilt steering boxes offered by several of the usual old Chevy truck dealers rather than rebuilding the existing one, though I’m not above that, just trying to get going quicker than my old learning curve. Any advice, thoughts re: this much play in the steering.

Happy to include some pics, but I’ve been gone awhile since I sold the Cameo and have to refresh my memory on how to do it. Also, I read a previous thread here on steering box, but it was a 66 I think, not much the same.

Dale

There are 2 adjustments. Steering shaft end play and the sector. Back off the sector and adjust your end play, then adjust the sector. Sometimes it's bad enough that you can lift the steering wheel a quarter inch or better.

Thanks for the information EI. I have been reading the shop manual for adjusting. Seems the shaft end play is related to lift up and down?I haven't tried to assess that yet but will. The really excessive play I am experience seems like it would come more from the sector?? But I can see where the worm positioning itself could affect the sector as well. I have never had a wheel with this much play in it. Having not done this before I will just have to start the adjustments you recommended following the shop manual as closely as I can and see where that takes me. Do the upper or lower bearings have any effect on any of this adjusting? Thanks again,

Dale