Did a major thrash session but still have a problem...Fixed it.

[Irish1941]

So over the last two days I re did the entire front and rear end on my '89 K5. Way too many hours too mention. And only spilled my DNA twice! HA!
-New 2" springs with ORD spring/shackle bushings all the way around. Rebuilt factory springs with zero rate.
-4 new shocks
-did all four ball joints
-front axle ujoints & drive shafts joints.
-all new front bearings and seals
-calipers, pads, rotors & shoes.
-new drag link and dropped pitman. Drag link is perfectly horizontal.
-new re-man steering box (no frame cracks)

Going for alignment on Monday but here is my problem.
The damn sector shaft has vertical movement, about 1/4" to 3/8" when turning the wheel.
Never messed with steering box adjustment or even attempted to rebuild a steering box before on GM 4x4. And I did search for the last 4 hours on up and down play on sector shaft but found nothing quite like I'm seeing.

*Edit: Adjusted the sector shaft. Reman company never did it when they went thru it hence the slop. Couple of turns and good to go. No light steering, no pulling etc.

 

[Irish1941]

Before pix:

After...

It does ride really nice now just the steering feels really strange and light. Almost no resistance.

 

[Z71paramedic]

Sounds like a bad gear box to me. My old grand wagoneer had uber power steering when I got it that had no resistance and it turned out to be the box.

 

[496truck]

Sector shaft is the one the pitman goes on to, right?

You can try adjusting it with the stud and lock nut on top of the box. Hold the nut with a wrench while turning the stud with an allen socket. No big movements here, 1/4 turn then check for play, lather rinse repeat...

The input shaft can be adjusted also if it has play.

I'm no expert on steering boxes here, just telling you what I know from reading here and doing adjustments on mine. I've got mine about perfect, zero play in the steering, proper road feel. I can drive down the highway and let go of the wheel and keep going straight, even over bumps.

 

[Irish1941]

I went back after posting this morning and adjusted the drag link because I was off with the steering wheel due to lift springs then took another look at the sector shaft.
I was wrong. It wasn't going up/down but rather there is 1/4" of play slop left/right when the steering wheel is slightly moved. Had friend move it this time.
I guess I couldn't really see what it was really doing, steering it myself.
I'll have to read up on the adjuster. I've built alot of pre WWII Fords and they have the same adjuster deal. I'll give it a go after I build up some strength. Two 14 hour days pulling wrenches at 42 ain't like it was at 22. Ugh...
Thanks for the input guys.

 

[dremu]

Two 14 hour days pulling wrenches at 42 ain't like it was at 22. Ugh...

Quoted for truth!

Those kinda hours, though, you're doing better than me. I only managed about that long across an entire weekend. Hustling spring packs solo is more tiresome than I remember

-- A

 

[Irish1941]

HA! Springs weren't too bad except when I went to put them in.
Out with old one, *^@%#, get new in, won't fit, more *^@%#, pull it out, measure new center bolt, bolt too big, drill spring perch, *^@%# even more, beer break, stick it in and tighten shackle bolts THEN remember that I forgot to put anti seize on bushings. Pull it out...
The steering box was harder though. Hold it up with one hand and thread the bolt with other hand. Felt the burn on the one.