Chevy Steering box, how to adjust?

[uglychevyZZ4]

i have a 91 burb with some slop in the steering box, i have heard you can snug the hears up and remove some slop, and others have told me only a tiny bit not enough to matter, whats the real deal? and how?

also im in WA, if anyone has a 6lug axle set or rear with 456 email me! [email protected] oh and hi, long time no log in

 

[owenst7]

There's a nylock on top of the sector shaft cap on the top of the box. It locks the sector shaft in place vertically. You can adjust that Shaft depth with the Allen bolt in the middle of that nylock. You can also adjust the worm gear preload by removing the rag joint and turning the nut on the input shaft with a spanner wrench or similar (Allen key and hammer can be used). I think proper preload for the input shaft is about 9in lbs rotating resistance.

You could just rebuild it. Kits are usually under $40 and most parts stores have them.

As to how much...if it just feels "loose" at the input, this may help. If there's any noticeable play in the bearings though, it probably needs the bearings replaced.

 

[DokWatson]

He got it while I was typing ^

 

[uglychevyZZ4]

so do i just turn the hexnut and wiggle the steering wheel til it cinches up some slack?

 

[owenst7]

No, you need to put a wrench on the nylock (believe it's 5/8") and turn the allen bolt in the center with a (believe it's 3/8") allen key. That will adjust the vertical position of the sector shaft. Shouldn't need to mess with the steering wheel at all. You're setting the depth to adjust the tooth contact kind of in the same way you adjust pinion depth with a ring and pinion. You should be trying to lower the sector shaft to tighten up any slop between the rack and sector shaft.

 

[sweetk30]

unless you realy know what your doing you can BLOW up the box.

search steering box adjustment with 4x4high as user name under advanced search. he has rebuilt lots of boxes and posted super info on adjusting them.

and check all the front end parts first. tie rod ends/pitman arm if 2wd/ball joints. prob find somthin there first.

also the stock steering shaft has a slip/box on the steering colom end that gets worn. comon upgrade is the jeep steering shaft swap.

realy look over the whole system with 2 people first before playin with the box.

 

[ARAMP1]

Here you go!

 

[KansasTwister]

sweet, mines leaking like a mofo. Thinking about just replacing the seal and seeing how long she will go for.

 

[Keitha]

I had about 25 - 30 degrees of slop in my wheel. All tie rods etc were in good condition. I tightened the adjuster screw on the top of the gear and it helped a lot. I probably only tightened it about 1/4 turn.

 

[chulisohombre]

i heard you bottom out that adjuster with a alen key then back off half a turn.should help a lot.i havent tried it yet,but i think that will get you in the ballpark.

 

[sledheadak]

the issue is the box gear wear at the straight ahead position since they spend most of the time there. if u over tighten it in that position it can bind closer to the lock position and break the box.be sure to check for binding at larger turning angles.