Steering issue

[BUDDY]

So, I just got my steering box replaced & now when I turn the wheel from straight dead center, I have 1 1/4 turns to the right & 2 1/4 turns to the left.

How is this possible?

I'm about to freak out on the garage that did the work anyways, but is this an installation problem or does it have to do with my lift geometry?

I think I know the answer, but wanted for some other's to weigh in here.

Thanks,

buddy

 

[79bonanza]

hmmm i could only think of the gear box being put on not centered but turned to one side first.

 

[diesel4me]

Maybe they moved the steering wheel on its splines to center it,instead of adjusting the drag link??..I think the pitman arm only fits on one way,the splines are "keyed",so that shouldn't be an issue..

 

[USSkoval]

You can only move the steering wheel a couple splines due to the horn connection that pokes through the hub.

I'm gonna say the steering box is defective.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Your draglink is out of adjustment.

 

[USSkoval]

Your draglink is out of adjustment.

Maybe I'm over-thinking this. If the drag were out of adjustment, but steering wheel centered when driving, you would have to adjust it enough that the steering wheel would make one full turn. But then there would still be the same steering issue, it would just be reversed. So it would have to be a defective box, wouldn't it?

 

[4X4HIGH]

There is nothing inside a steering box that will cause it to turn further one way than the other. The OP already stated that he can turn 1 1/4 turns one way and 2 1/4 turns the other way and "MOST" steering boxes have just under 3 1/2 turns lock to lock so that means the box is traveling the correct distance but because the draglink isn't adjusted properly that is why he can turn further in one direction than the other.

He needs to let the truck roll forward a few feet to let the wheels point straight ahead, then he needs to remove the draglink from the pitman arm, now turn the wheel full lock in one direction then turn it full lock the opposite direction while counting rotations then go back half as many turns (1.7 turns in his case), now he needs to adjust the draglink so that it will bolt but up to the pitman arm. If at this point the steering wheel is not centered then he will have to remove the steering wheel and recenter it.

 

[USSkoval]

There is nothing inside a steering box that will cause it to turn further one way than the other. The OP already stated that he can turn 1 1/4 turns one way and 2 1/4 turns the other way and "MOST" steering boxes have just under 3 1/2 turns lock to lock so that means the box is traveling the correct distance but because the draglink isn't adjusted properly that is why he can turn further in one direction than the other.

Yes, but the wheel is centered. If it is adjusted for equal travel, the steering wheel would end up being upside-down. It would need to be adjusted one full revolution, so it would still be 1 1/4 one way and 2 1/4 the other... just the opposite way as before.

Also, I have seen vehicles that were wrecked and suffered a twisted sector shaft, causing the problem described above. It wouldn't surprise me if the rebuilder company overlooked a twisted shaft every now and again.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Yes, but the wheel is centered. If it is adjusted for equal travel, the steering wheel would end up being upside-down. It would need to be adjusted one full revolution, so it would still be 1 1/4 one way and 2 1/4 the other... just the opposite way as before.

Also, I have seen vehicles that were wrecked and suffered a twisted sector shaft, causing the problem described above. It wouldn't surprise me if the rebuilder company overlooked a twisted shaft every now and again.

Ok, when centering a steering box you CANNOT worry about where the steering wheel is. The steering wheel may have been moved on the splines making it off OR it can be "upside down" because someone didn't bolt the steering shaft to the rag joint in the correct orientation.

Now if he centered the steering box as i've said then his steering wheel would be upside down and at that point my best guess would be that someone bolted the steering shaft to the rag joint 180* off of where it should be which would put the steering wheel back correct.

 

[USSkoval]

Ah OK, now I understand. I can't remember if the shaft only goes on the box one way, but yeah, the rag joint makes perfect sense.