2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Q: Tighten steering at the gearbox adj. ?

[55gene]

Has anybody had success at reducing steering wander by adjusting the lash at the steering gearbox? It worked on my old IH cornbinders and I thought I would try it on a 95 2500 4x4 that I'm picking up next week. There is a good amount of steering wheel play compared to my other 95. Everything else appeared to be in good working order.

 

[fest3er]

Only if you know that that is where the play is. It's far more likely for the play to be in the ball/socket joint (driver's side) of the track bar and in the output shaft of the steering gear.

 

[FDavid]

I am currently tackling the front end of my truck. Let us know if that steering lash adjustment makes a big difference

 

[55gene]

Thanks fest3er, I'll look that trackbar over real good and tighten up the steering box and post the results. The previous owner said he replaced the ball joints and the stabilizer links which he said didn't help with the wander problem.

Thanks and "GL-TDR" (gotta luv TDR)

 

[DSeamans]

Adjustment

You have to be VERY careful adjusting the gear. You don't want to go any tighter that zero backlash or you will destroy the bearings in a hurry. 1/4 turn is a huge adjustment! To do it properly, you need to pull the gear from the truck. Turn the shaft back and forth to pump out all the oil. Put the gear in the vice and then put a vicegrip on each shaft. Holding the output, slowly move the input back and forth feeling for the gears to touch. Adjust in small increments until there is no backlash. Its similar to setting up diff gears except you go for zero backlash and have an adjuster instead of shims.



I agree that the problem is probably elsewhere. If the box is loose enough that adjustment makes a difference, it's probably shot anyway. Also the output shaft will have a little side to side movement from bearing clearance. It should not go in and out at all.



Good luck,

Dave

 

[PRohr]

Could an over adjusted box cause a vibration or a sound like a tire rubbing when doing a slow speed turn?

 

[fest3er]

Could an over adjusted box cause a vibration or a sound like a tire rubbing when doing a slow speed turn?

No, the steering wheel mayn't turn as easily and won't return to center by itself (as you drive).



The 'tire rubbing' sound/feel is more likely to be the clutches in the rear diff chattering (if you have a posi rear end and you know that no tires are rubbing).

 

[PRohr]

Okay... just checking as I am having an issue as described in a thread I started:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...n-discussions/222882-hard-describe-noise.html

I'm trying to cover all my bases.

 

[55gene]

Dave thanks for the fine tuned info on the steering box. The one sentence that "if an adjustment does help, the box is probably worn out" has me looking down the road for a good used or rblt one. Previous owner might have had the habit of turning the wheels when not rolling. On my first 95 I had the trackbar bolt come loose at the axel end and man that felt like driving on a road covered with marshmellows. Next week I'll get the new 95 and see if I can nail down the wander. I'll post the results.

Thanks Guys,

Gene

 

[DSeamans]

Gearbox

A lot of people like to run the tighter boxes, basically 3. 5 turns lock to lock instead of 4. 5. I was running one for 1. 5 years and it crapped out. For the warranty I had to send it in and have the guy look at it and he would either rebuild it or send me a new one. I'd be down 2-3 weeks. #@$%! Plus, the are pushing $400. 95% of all rebuilts are done by A1 Cardone. Some like em, some hate em. I just got one from Oreilly's for $169 with a lifetime warranty. I've had good luck with Oreillys and their's was cheaper than Rockauto!



Dave

 

[55gene]

Right on Dave there is an O'reillys in town if I end up needing the gearbox. Looks like that will be the best bang for the buck. Appreciate the info. I also picked up a gearbox stabilizer off eBay for $128. Seems like it should help with the angular stress on the output shaft. The seller of the truck (2nd 0wner for 1 yr) said he already had the balljoints replaced which I thought was odd for a fair-weather Oregon truck w/138k mi.

Might have been another one of those wonderful rip-off repairs buy those kind of shops. When will they ever learn about Karma? My first 95 is an ex Rhode Island snowplow truck w/218k (I picked it up w/162k) and by the work I've done on the front end I don't think it was ever touched. All the balljoints are tight on there. It actually steers OK. Hmmm, makes you wonder.

 

[Sticks]

I didn't realize that the gear box was that inexpensive. I have been putting off doing the adjustment on mine for a while. For $150 I'll just replace the darn thing. Already had my front end checked out and everything is tight, just a lot of play in gearbox, an a decent pull to the right.