The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop steering problem

My newly aquired truck, a 1966 chev. 3/4 ton fleetside has about 4 inches of freeplay in the steering column. I know sometimes you can go to the steering box and make some adjustments to hopefully get rid of some of the freeplay. Can anyone walk me through this so I can give it a try. I realize the front end may need a rebuild, but it looks as if the steering box has never been adjusted.

Hi Mastkey,
Before you adjust the steering box, have someone turn the steering wheel in both directions.(just until the slack is gone)If the pitman arm on steering box turns at the same time in both directions, it's most likely the inner, and or outer tierods,or idler arm.
Check out these parts to see if they need replaced.I hope this helps.

Chevyboy62

To adjust the steering box you need to jack the front wheels up and put some jack stands under the axle. Now turn the steering wheel as far as it will go left and right and count how many turns it takes to do this, now center it. Loosen up the jam nut on the sector shaft[ this a small nut about 9/16 or 5/8] and using a screwdriver turn the screw as you would to tighten the screw about 1/4 of a turn, and now turn the steering wheel to the left about 1/2 turn and then to the right about 1 turn, as you go past center you should feel a slight drag on the wheel, if you don't then tighten the screw on the steering box another 1/4 turn. Continue this till you feel a slight drag on the steering wheel when you go past dead center. If some one has had the pitman arm off and didn't get it back on correct,then what you think is dead center may not be, so it would be a good idea to go from stop to stop about every 3rd time you tighten the screw to make sure what you think is center is really center. With the steering wheel sitting where you feel a slight drag, the wheels of the vehicle should be straight forward. Tighten the lock nut on the steering box and you should be done.
I won't go into adjusting the tie rod now but you should be able to figure that out

Thanks for the detailed info, ill give it a try this weekend!

Also, you will probably need to add lube. Don't use gear lube, it will eventually leak out. Shop manual says you can use chassis lube, I recommend going with a moly base grease over the lithium, it has better properties when cold.

Fred, forgive my ignorance, but when you say add

Fred, forgive my ignorance, but when you say add
lube are you talking about the steering box after I do the adjustments?

I would check the level and add lube before adjustment. If it is dry, and it probably is, add lube and work the steering back and forth to get the lube into the gear and balls.

Well, I got the steering adjusted as far as possible and I got rid of most of the play. Stll a tiny bit left. In regard to checking the lubrication in the steering box, I did not see a
plug or any access to even check it. I thought there would be a square plug to open. ???
Anybody run across this?

So what else should I look for in the suspension in regard to being worn. I guess I must assume that because there was so much steering play, that the suspension is in need of
a rebuild or other adjustment. Thanks for all responses on my previous questions and any future
ones. Steve

Steve - If I get to the museum tonight I'll check on a 64. I was thinking a square head pipe plug on top of the box, but my memberer isn't as long as it used to be... Don't know if I am gettin old timerz disease or just have a case of CRS!

I checked. Square head pipe plug on the top of the box in line with the center of the steering shaft. Someone might have put in a flush plug with an internal square drive. I'd get out the scraper and start cleaning of the gunk.

This might help you- try this thread- If not let me know adjusting steering sector