If its any help, I tightened mine up some and it helped. Had to turn 3 turns until it snugged up, then backed out one turn. Its still not the best though.
CK5
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Another steering thread.
- Thread starter 77_Jimmy
- Start date
nbrown2500
3/4 ton
The sad part is that if I went to the chevy parts house they would give me an ac delco. Not to happy but live and learn.
The proper way to adjust is to tighten the Allen head bolt until the proper rolling torque is reached , going through the center of travel. I think it was like 11 inch/lbs. That is without anything connected to the pitman shaft, on the bench.
So it will be mostly by feel on the truck, in my opinion. I would try for some tiny bit of drag while going through center, but be careful.
It may be possible that the Delco ones are meant to be set before installing. ??
So it will be mostly by feel on the truck, in my opinion. I would try for some tiny bit of drag while going through center, but be careful.
It may be possible that the Delco ones are meant to be set before installing. ??
nbrown2500
3/4 ton
Good Point, I will look back at the paperwork I got with it to see what it says.
Don't think delco reman means much any more.
If it's not put together correctly and clearances set, adjusting the preload is only goin to do so much.
If it's not put together correctly and clearances set, adjusting the preload is only goin to do so much.
nbrown2500
3/4 ton
I got another steering box on the way, seeing this thread made me get off my butt and do something about the new steering box that sucks. Before I install this one I'm going to test is at the parts house for any play. If it has any play they can send it back and get another one. I think I should be able to find one good ac delco steering box.
I'm not familiar with them, but I came across AGR steering gears. At $450, If you actually get what you pay for, these could be good.
Web site is www.steerco.com
Web site is www.steerco.com
Ned Kelly
1/2 ton status
I wonder if Redhead Steering rebuilds inhouse?
scpaul
1/2 ton status
Somebody ought look at an exploded view of the steering box and see what the adjustment screw and lock nut do. Then do your adjustment. I would try to tell you more, but they've changed alot since I messed with them.
The adjustment screw raises and lowers the pitman shaft to change the amount of wedge it gets while going through center.
The teeth on the pitman shaft are cut at an angle so as to allow for adjustment to the play/preload.
The nylon lock nut just holds if course.
You can make an amazing difference in it with that adjustment.
I know since I have had 2 of them blown completely apart to a bare housing. In case anyone wonders....
I chose to quit doing it when I started wanting a box built to my preference and truck demands . I didn't have , or want to experiment with different parts.
This is why I recommend the 2 places that I did, because they have done a great job on custom boxes!
The box has to be on center to not have play in it, remember that when checking.
The teeth on the pitman shaft are cut at an angle so as to allow for adjustment to the play/preload.
The nylon lock nut just holds if course.
You can make an amazing difference in it with that adjustment.
I know since I have had 2 of them blown completely apart to a bare housing. In case anyone wonders....
I chose to quit doing it when I started wanting a box built to my preference and truck demands . I didn't have , or want to experiment with different parts.
This is why I recommend the 2 places that I did, because they have done a great job on custom boxes!
The box has to be on center to not have play in it, remember that when checking.
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In my experience,messing with the pitman shaft adjuster only aggravates a problem,it usually just makes the steering "feel' tighter,but its actually the gears binding due to being meshed too tightly..the steering felt "sticky" and like it was too tight at the straight ahead position..
Nearly every GM steering box I dared fool with as far as that adjustment ended up being ditched in favor of a good used one off a salvage yard donor..
The "other" adjustment where the steering shaft enters the box is the one that usually ends up letting too much "free play" exist--but the few times I have succeeded in getting that big lock nut loose and making a crude spanner wrench to try and tighten up on the adjustment,the steering did improve a great deal--but the steering box leaked like a sieve there from that day on,and I ended up replacing them..
Nearly every GM steering box I dared fool with as far as that adjustment ended up being ditched in favor of a good used one off a salvage yard donor..
The "other" adjustment where the steering shaft enters the box is the one that usually ends up letting too much "free play" exist--but the few times I have succeeded in getting that big lock nut loose and making a crude spanner wrench to try and tighten up on the adjustment,the steering did improve a great deal--but the steering box leaked like a sieve there from that day on,and I ended up replacing them..
scpaul
1/2 ton status
If I'm understanding what xtc is describing, maybe they haven't changed as much as I expected. I have a couple of questions after reading this forum if you don't mind. If they are dumb, blame the author.
With the custom boxes, what is it achieving, steering ratio change, heavier duty, variable effort, general feel, etc? I've seen the term "Hydraulic Assist", is that the same as power steering, is it a variation of it. Do the people that have the trucks with the big tires, above 40's, use power (hydraulic assisted?) steering or steering boxes that have higher/lower gear ratio's, depending how you say it.
On a city street/suburban area driven truck, that has never had the steering adjusted and has 156,000 miles on it. About how many miles can the steering box be expected to last. It's had tires on it from 31-10.50-15 to 33-12.50-15 (mostly) and 35's once. I understand that this is a highly subjective question.
Did/Does GM make a truck with a steering box that's heavier duty?
Thank Y'all, I'm gradually learning, Paul
With the custom boxes, what is it achieving, steering ratio change, heavier duty, variable effort, general feel, etc? I've seen the term "Hydraulic Assist", is that the same as power steering, is it a variation of it. Do the people that have the trucks with the big tires, above 40's, use power (hydraulic assisted?) steering or steering boxes that have higher/lower gear ratio's, depending how you say it.
On a city street/suburban area driven truck, that has never had the steering adjusted and has 156,000 miles on it. About how many miles can the steering box be expected to last. It's had tires on it from 31-10.50-15 to 33-12.50-15 (mostly) and 35's once. I understand that this is a highly subjective question.
Did/Does GM make a truck with a steering box that's heavier duty?
Thank Y'all, I'm gradually learning, Paul
nbrown2500
3/4 ton
So what brand will be spot on with no play. I've already got $200.00 tied up in the Ac Delco. From what I'm hearing its going to be hit or miss with just about everything. I don't mind spending the money for a good part, I thought I already had, but am I going to have the same trouble with ones that costs $400.00? I don't know why they can't rebuild them and just "totally rebuild them" so they perform to factory specs.
Have you contacted HOWE?
They rebuild to whatever spec you want.... and they build serious offroad stuff and they have a deep understanding of what goes into a high-quality build.
I called them and ended up speaking with the owner (just by chance). I was pretty impressed that he is still involved enough to grab a ringing phone and talk directly to his own customers.
-G
nbrown2500
3/4 ton
Thanks for the Info, just got done looking at their web site. WOW, $1,000.00 and up for chevy steering boxes. Did you have them rebuild one for you when you called them and if so how much did it run you if you don't mind me asking. LOL, in my last post I said I don't mind spending money on a good part but maybe I have found my limit. LOL.Have you contacted HOWE?
They rebuild to whatever spec you want.... and they build serious offroad stuff and they have a deep understanding of what goes into a high-quality build.
I called them and ended up speaking with the owner (just by chance). I was pretty impressed that he is still involved enough to grab a ringing phone and talk directly to his own customers.
-G
I haven't had them do mine (yet) but I already bought their PS pump and they seem really knowledgeable about pump sizing, getting the right "feel" in a system and keeping everything cool. I didn't even realize that there were different options for the sector shaft... apparently you get different torsion rates depending on what size shaft you use, which can make the steering either "rock hard stiff responsive" or a bit more "relaxed and streetable". It sort of makes sense and it's nice that they think about subtle stuff like that and actually will build it to suit exactly what you want.
Anyway... it's good to know that there ARE companies out there who do quality work. You DO have to pay them for that knowledge / experience though.
-G
nbrown2500
3/4 ton
I agree with you 100%, it's just sometimes it's hard to swallow. They will be one of the companies I call if I can't find a suitable ac delco replacement. I don't know how many times the parts house will send them back until I find the one I want.
Sorry to seem like a broken record,,,,
Call Benchworks or Raven, both companies have excellent products, no "big" name though, but fair as h*ll prices.
nbrown2500
3/4 ton
They are on my short list to call if I have to return and get a refund for the delco. Thank you guys for all the help.
The design has been the same for like 4 decades.
The front adjustment is the preload on the input bearings, to get rid of any play in the front of the box. The problem is that what you feel on the bench isn't the same thing you feel with high pressure in it.
See these:
http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11794
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/general-4x4-discussion/570869-saginaw-box-rebuild-how.html
