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| | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 98 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 98 | I read the tech tip by Oeleson to adjust the box. Do those instructions apply to the big bolts or just the light trucks?
Any words of wisdom and advice is most welcome.
Thankyou | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,813 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,813 | Virtually all worm-and-sector gear steering boxes adjust the same way. The worm gear bearing preload (the shaft where the steering wheel attaches) doesn't need to be adjusted very often. The sector gear adjustment needs to be tightened until there is just barely zero clearance as the gear passes the center point. I like to remove the drag link so the only thing that is moving is the Pitman arm, none of th eother steering linkage. Count the turns of the steering wheel stop to stop, and turn back exactly halfway. There should be a 10 inch-pound increase in turning torque at the steering wheel nut as the gear rolls over center, measured with a torque wrench. For instance, if it takes 7 in.-lb. to keep the steering wheel turning as it approaches the center point, it will rise to 17, then return to 7 after the center point passes. If the torque rises, then drops at the center, rises and drops again, the steering gear is worn out and cannot be adjusted.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 98 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 98 | Sounds simple enough I guess. Tomorrow I`ll study what COE sheet metal I have to remove to access the gearbox.
If I`m understanding your explanation correctly if after adjusting the torque rises at the center and drops off towards the end of steering wheel travel then my gear is okay. If it rises then drops at center then rises again, then the gearbox needs a rebuild.
Thankyou
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,038 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,038 | You should be able to access the steering box on a COE by removing the left front inner fender skirt. Otherwise, you will have to remove the grill. I have adjusted the steering box on both my Advance design trucks and on both it made a huge difference. It is worth the effort, most likely. Good Luck!
Kent | | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 98 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 98 | I studied mine to death and adjusted it the best I could. Results are just a hair better. I did find noticible play where the cross shaft exits to the pitman and by the looks of the chisel marks I wasnt the first to work on the box. So I will remove and rebuild when I have a chance.
Not sure whether to pull the inner fender or grill just yet. But either method shouldnt be to hard as all that stuff was recently installed in last summer.
Thanks to all.
John Drabik | | |
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