Ram assist tapping questions.

[airemdwn]

I just drilled and tapped my steering box for a ram assist and have a couple questions/concerns. I used the directions and pics from various sites and forums.
Would i know if the ball bearings fell out of the worm gear? When i was cleaning the inside im pretty sure i turned the input shaft a little, maybe a quarter turn at the most. I put it all together and it turns fine and doesnt bind or make any funny sounds.

Also i didnt get the lower tapped hole centered on the passage, its sorta in the lower 1/3,, that wont affect performance of the ram will it?

 

[4X4HIGH]

Not sure how far you took the box apart but if you removed in input shaft and spool valve assembly and the worm gear only turned 1/4 turn or so that isn't enough to allow the balls to fall out.

You might want to post some pics showing where exactly you drilled and tapped the box as there are several places that people do it.

 

[blazinzuk]

Just as long as there is fluid flowing you are fine. I have tapped a couple boxes where I did not get the hole 100% in the fluid channel, never seemed to hurt.

Only time I have ever had the balls come out is when I have totally disassembled the box.