2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2001 slop in steering box ?

[roller1000]

This seems to be the one area, that I have left to get the slop out of. With the truck off I can grab hold of the steering shaft and rotate it alot more then i think it should. the truck has about 155,000. I can feel the slop going down the road. What is a good replacement box. I can get a good used one for $100, (I have not looked at it yet). Or is there a rebuild for this box? I want to keep the $$$ low as I can. Everything else is tight on the front end. Thanks.

 

[BDaugherty]

Do a search using "steering box" for you key words. There should be many posts about adjusting the preload of the worm gear into the pinion gear inside saginaw steering boxes. Think about it like backlash. You want for there to be enough clearance that the gears don't bind, but if there's too much clearance you will have to move the steering wheel too much in order to get movement at the sector shaft (where the pitman arm attaches). There is a set screw with a jam nut on top of 4 bolt cover on the top of the steering box that you use to adjust preload. Do no over adjust. A little play is much better than binding. Usually on a worn box, 1/4 turn tighter is a good starting point. After that, don't go more than 1/8 turn without stopping to test. Also, if you have that kind of play, it would be a good idea to flush the system with the fresh power steering fluid and maybe even install a DSS or equivalent.

 

[Johnny5]

I have been thinking about trying this adjustment, I remember something about it being called "over-center adjustment". I noticed the same play as I was going to replace the steering shaft at which time I saw all the play between the shaft and the steering box, the steering shaft was fine and the output shaft of the box is fine especially since I've hadd a DSS since the truck was almost new. Good thought about the steering fluid change, I had changed mine out right after I bought it and went to Valvoline SynPower since I did not want to hear the screaming sound in the cold weather, so it has been awhile.

 

[BILLVO]

When adjusting there needs to be in and out movement of the output sector shaft yet. If you adjust the screw keep pushing in and out on the shaft to make sure there is movement. If it quits moving you have it too tight. You may have to use a bar to get enough leverage to see if there is still a bit of play. Usually there isn't much adjustment to them. If they are real loose it will still be loose "Sloppy steering wheel feel" after adjusting them from my experience.