The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk loose steering

On my brother-in laws 1954 p/u the steering is scary loose. We tried the adjustments but not enough improvement. Are we at rebuild point? Hard to do? recommend sending out? Thanks Scott

I have been reading through past posts on steering. all other components are new and tight. excessive play in wheel. We were thinking box is wore beyond further adjustment?

How did you make the adjustments? If nothing is broken inside
the steering box you should be able to adjust the sector to the
point that it literally locks up the box even if it is worn.

But you are correct in your concern for safety, faulty steering
is nothing to mess with. If you feel uncomfortable with your
efforts then it would be a very good move to seek a real mechanics advice.

Denny G

The adjustment screw is just about all the way in, steering is stiff but it has a lot of play at the steering wheel

Did you go through the adjustment procedures in the Shop Manual? What measurement tool did you use for the worm bearing adjustment?

I adjusted about a quarter turn of play out of my steering. Easy to do. I followed the Shop Manual.
> Shop Manual - Steering Gear Adjustments

You must disconnect the pitman arm before making the adjustments. Advance Auto Parts, and probably other FLAPS, will loan a puller.

I used a digital fish scale to check the pull on the steering wheel as described in the Shop Manual. I'm not real sure that a scale is even needed.
> Digital Fish Scale

If all else fails, instructions for rebuilding the box are in the Shop Manual and in GM Steering Manuals. Plus, do a search on Stovebolt for real world advice.
> Shop Manual - Steering Gear Major Service
> Overhauling Truck Steering Gears

Many 'Bolters recommend refilling the box with John Deere Cornhead grease. You can find more info in a Stovebolt search.

Good luck,

- Lonnie

If all else is good nothing will help it drive better then pulling the steering gear out & rebuilding it. There is not that much to them.

The teeth on the sector can wear and no amount of adjusting will fix it. Sounds like you are at that point. It will need to come off for a look or replacement.

Joe

Thanks guys, He assured me we followed manual, with the exception of the scale. So, it maybe time to remove it and see.

Something not mentioned that might be worth checking into in addition, the preload on the tie rod ends, if it still has the factory style ends. Even if they feel "tight", they may not have enough preload on them, which can give a loose steering feel. I found that out the hard way myself, and chased it by adjusting the box. Once the tie rod was adjusted to the proper preload, the steering was fine.

A good/correct adjustment was not carried out.

Good job, chevymgb

Be sure to post a post-adjustment driving report.

Thanks everyone. I will let you know the results.
On the bench the gear "fingers?" in the box appear to have enough adjustment left. Worm drive on shaft looks good. Bearings & bushing are most diffenatly in need of replacement.

Thanks again Scott

Mine was loose and really scary sloppy when I first bought it...a 49. Turned out that pretty much all the front end components were badly worn and missing the bushings. King pins loose and steering box held on my one thread of the nut. I chose to put in a whole new front clip but that was expensive. For me, safety way out weighed originality. I'll also go with radials which will, hopefully, make it drive like new and, most importantly, be safe.