The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks 1966 Steering Box adjustment

Hi Guys,

I have a '66 c-10 truck with a lot of play in the steering and am looking for some help on how to adjust the steering box. I assume this is where the problem is as everything is pretty tight and I can move the steering shaft at the box by hand back and forth a good 100 degrees or so. Also, is there any special lubrication that these older boxes need?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

100 degrees, you sure it's not more like 20-30 degrees?

100 degrees is almost a third of a turn, I hope you haven't been driving it that way.

There is a nut on top of the steering box with a slotted screw in the center. Loosen the nut and turn the screw down. DON'T over tighten it! If the screw drops in the box, look for another steering box.

I have grease in mine and it leaks. One of these days I'll have PS. There have many posts on steering lube do a search.

LG

yep, about a third of a turn. My son drives the truck and didn't say anything as it slowly got worse and when Mom drove the truck this week, that was it.

ok, so I loosen the nut first then adjust the screw. Will give it a try in the morning.

Thanks LG

I tried adjusting my box with just the top nut & screw and had no luck. I've got an old manual that says the "worm bearing preload" adjustment should be done first. Where the steering column shaft enters the box there is a large "lock nut" you need to loosen first then underneath that there is a "worm bearing adjuster" you can put a wrench on & tighten. Then you adjust the "sector and ball nut backlash" with the nut/screw. I'll find my manual and post the steps later tonight if you'd like.
It worked perfectly on our 66.

Thanks Dave that would be great. I'll look for it the morning and let you know how it works out.

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".

Thanks Dave - worked great on our 66 too - only needed to do the worm gear adjustment to take care of our slack. Had some trouble trying to disconnect the ball stud, so just jacked the front of the truck up so the tires were off the ground. Added the lubricant too. Thanks again

Glad I could help. That old Chilton manual got a lot of use when it was new and seems to be back out pretty regular again.

Sure is nice driving the truck without the extra play on the box.