2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 'Rock Solid' Ram Truck Steering !

[RHestand]

I'm also chasing "Front end wonder".

This morning before turkey I will be installing a PSC steering box stabilizer.

I just received it yesterday, and was surprised about how heavy it is. It must weigh 25lbs.

I put a dial indicater on the shaft coming out of the steering box a while back, and it showed . 012-. 013 side play in ea. direction (. 024-. 026 total).

I checked with most the front-end techs that I could talk to, and they couldn't tell me if that was too much or not.

I figured worse case, if it doesn't help my steering situation, it might at least save the steering shaft seal, that's not leaking yet.

I'm visiting my daughter here in Wash. DC, and the 1000 mi. drive here from WI was enough put me in the fix-it mood.

I bought tools from Sears yesterday. I hope I have everything I need. The 1&5/16" deep socket was a bear to find around here, so I had to buy a reg. depth one.

I'll post back ASAP, as to what this does for my truck.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Ray

 

[Joe Mc]

Please clarify, the reason I ask is a few years back a front end alignment shop (supposedly one of the best around - but I found out they suck afterwards) adjusted the "play" in my box. I thought it was fine till they called me saying it was too sloppy and they wondered how I kept it on the road?



thanks

OK let me ask the question with a twist, a few months - probably less - after the "best shop around" adjusted the slop in my steering box I have a constant pull to the left. I'm thinking this "pull to the left" is related to the "over the center adjustment" (OVCA) being screwed up when the "best shop around" - "removed slop from my box".



So, any advise on how to get the OVCA back to where it should be. Like I said in an earlier reply "I had no problem with the steering 'slop' but the shop told me it had to be done to align". I should have known then to tell them don't touch anything else, I'll be right there to pick up my truck. Hindsight is 20/20 . . .



Appreciate any advice on how to return the OVCA to original - thanks.

 

[BDaugherty]

The Allen screw and Jam nut should never be touched. This is the "over center adjustment" and should only be adjusted with the steering box disassembled and only by someone that has had the proper training regardless of what the shop manual says. Adjusting does not remove slop. It is not like the old mechanical steering boxes that you could remove slop by adjusting. Talk to a Master Mechanic and he will tell you he won't touch it if it is Power Steering. Some rebuilders know how to adjust during the rebuilding process. Power Steering Services is one of them if "Chip" is still there. I learned this the hard way. No matter what adjustment I made it did no good then I found out I had the wrong ratio box and changed it out with a rebuilt 3 turn from PSS 3 years ago and no problem with the box since. A 4&1/4 turn box wanders all over the highway.

I disagree 100%. I bought a PSC steering box a few years ago. It developed some play after the first 2-3K miles. I called PSC and they instructed me on how to properly adjust the pinion to worm gear preload. They said that it was set on the test bench when they built it, but it was possible that it would need adjusting again after the break in period. To be clear, this adjustment is only necessary if you can turn the input on the steering box several degrees each direction without getting any movement out of the sector shaft. If you are getting side to side movement rather than radial or turning movement, then it's either new box or DSS time depending on severity. They also issued a stern warning to adjust a little at a time until the play was gone and then stop. Adjusting too far will cause binding and your steering will not center. I have made this adjustment on several Dodge trucks in addition to the DSS. Along with replacing/rubuilding any worn tie rod ends in the steering linkage or track bar, it has always resulted in either "new" or better than new steering.

J. Birchfield, I'm not trying to start a war here. I just want to point out there there seem to be different schools of thought on this matter. I'm just going straight off what PSC told me and it has a track record of working well. However, I have only made this adjustment on 3 Dodge Rams, 1 Suburban, and a handfull of older Chevy pickups. All had power steering.

I guess the lesson here is if you aren't confident about making an adjustment and getting it right the first time, don't touch it. Let a pro do it.

Also for the record, I am not a professional. I'm just a cheapskate that hasn't had very good luck trusting the "pros". I have found in most cases that the TDR knows better than anyone else.

 

[SRath]

I adjusted the lash on my old Chevy K30 Saginaw box when I installed new sector shaft and input shaft seals. That truck steers and centers great after many many years still.



Like he said, adjust only a tiny bit at a time! Too much can cause binding and over -center problems.

 

[Joe Mc]

Cheston - sorry to jump all over your thread. Guys - thanks for the replies on my over the center situation. What I think is when the shop "adjusted play" the didn't realize the jam nut and bolt was not like the old days to remove steering play. So I "guess" I will try as suggested ,back off a 1/4 lock and drive, repeat until corrected / no more pull to the left. By the way, my sig doesn't list but I have the DSS stabilizer and a myriad of other new front end parts to include tubular upper & lower control arms. Thanks again

 

[Joe Mc]

Thanks again