The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline steering box

I need help. 1950 3/4 ton did work on front end now putting things back. When I put the steering link onto the arm that goes on the steering box it isnt right. I get more turns of the wheel to the left than to the right. Centered the steering wheel. still happens. It seems that the splined shaft that comes out of the steering box needs to be rotated to the right a little before I put the arm on but that moves the steering wheel and Im back to where I started. What do I do?

You didn't say if you had the steering box apart but I can say that it is possible to assemble the ball nut and sector shaft one tooth out which will cause these symptoms. Here's the specific page in the overhaul booklet (index at page bottom):

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/booklets/5220mts28.htm

never took apart the steering box

The steering arm on the front hub should hit the travel limit stop in both directions. If not, you have the issue mentioned above in the steering box and if not corrected can damage the ball guides in the box.

Did you remove the Pitman arm? I think it is possible the shaft might have moved a bit, if not centered when reattached to the Pitman arm, I think it would give you the same problem.

Don't look at the steering wheel,center the front wheels as best you can by eye,than turn the wheel one way count the turns,than recenter the front wheels,than turn the other way and count the turns. Are they both the same? If they are than drive the truck and with the horn botton off mark the center spline of the steering wheel with a marker,up and down, than when you get home pull the steering wheel off and reinstall wheel so it will be straight when you're driving.


Pete

The Pitman arm only goes on one way because there is a large key spline that lines it up.

How large is the difference. You should check to see if the steering stops are contacted at each end of the travel. This is very important.