steering gearbox adjustment?

[steved]

Anyone try adjusting their 3rd gen steering gearbox to help tracking? I did find the write up in the FSM...



I did this with two 2nd gens with good results... anyone try it on a 3rd gen?

 

[HOBrian]

I posted awhile back and someone posted it would wear out the gear/s early because of wear.

 

[HOBrian]

Here ya go! https://www.turbodieselregister.com...scussions/125222-i-want-stiffer-steering.html

 

[steved]

If that was the case, then why would they have an adjustment procedure???



My dad's 2nd gen has 280k on it, we adjusted that box around 150k...

 

[Bob4x4]

To save money :-laf

 

[moonranch]

I adjusted mine with about 180K on the truck. But then the it started leaking from the adjustment screw, and it didn't really fix the problem. But it is likely I did something wrong. After that, I got a new box, and that fixed my issues.

 

[steved]

To save money :-laf

So you're saying no one should be adjusting their automatic transmission either... just following your logic, or lack thereof.



If it was designed with an adjustment, then it is meant to be periodically adjusted. If it was a one time "set and forget" type of deal, then they would have shimmed it (like a differential).



I'm going to give it a shot this weekend... if it doesn't work, I'm not out anything at 188k.

 

[steved]

Success!!!



Took around a full turn of the adjuster to get it snugged up, and perfection!!!



I learned this on my 1999, you need to elevate the front off the ground to allow you to feel the steering... you actually don't feel the steering wheel, you feel the wheels as you physically turn them at the axle. You tighten until they start to get a little "snug"... this will still allow it to return to center when rounding a turn. Drop it to the ground and take it for a test drive... if the steering doesn't return to center, you need to loosen it slightly...



Its like driving a new truck again... had to relearn to drive again!

 

[hearingyourlies]

Alright ... so how do you do it??!!?

Can someone point me to a write-up please?

 

[steved]

The FSM has a write up on how to adjust it off the truck... I do it on the truck, using the method described above, although not recommend in the FSM.

 

[hearingyourlies]

The service manual I have appears to be deliberately vague. I can't even seem to find the adjuster. Is it actually on the steering shaft itself or on top of the box?

 

[steved]

The adjustment screw is opposite the pitman arm shaft, on top of the box... should be an allen screw (5mm or 3/16") and a 16MM jam nut...

 

[hearingyourlies]

That's what I thought. It seemed a little tight for my big stupid hands, but I'll figure it out. Thanks for the help! Gonna work on this tomorrow.

 

[steved]

Go in small steps... I found its trial and error doing it on the truck. Between the three 2nd gens I've done, and now my 3rd gen; I have yet to go much more than a single turn on the adjustment... don't get crazy.

I do it with the front tires off the ground, and physically turn the wheels left and right by pushing and pulling on the tires (steering wheel unlocked obviously) to get a feel. . you will start and the wheels will turn easily, as you adjust, they get "stiffer", too much and they get "sticky" near center. This is done at the axle, not by the steering wheel.

When done, the steering wheel should go from sloppy/loose to somewhat tight/firm. And again, too much and the steering wheel will feel sticky... and during a test drive, the steering will only return part way and "stick" before going center. If the steering won't return to center by itself, then you are too tight.

It doesn't take a lot of adjustment to make a big change... again, don't go crazy.

Just for the record, I did the first two on the ground, it took me about 4 hours of adjust, drive, adjust, drive, adjust, drive to get it right... doing it on the stands takes under 30 minutes. Be patient and don't go too tight... and you do "tighten" the adjustment screw to take of the slack... but the screw never actually feels tight when you adjust it. I have never adjusted one by following the FSM directions.

I can actually leave go of the wheel at speed now and the truck tracks straight and true for as long as I have straight road (even with uneven tracks and bumps)... before I would have been chasing it constantly.

 

[opjohnny]

I did this to my grand cherokee using the feel method and it worked great. Took out the slop with around a 1/4 to 1/2 turn. Does not take much.

John

 

[JBallou]

3rd gen box has the same type of adjustment as others, yet like steved says take it slow and mythodical. In my experience it has a totally different feel on the adjustment than others, say chevy or ford, or other dodges.

 

[hearingyourlies]

Alright, got it done. Don't know how the hell you guys got your hands in their, but with some bloodshed I got it done.

Upon cracking the locknut, a little bit of fluid seeped out, and continued for a drop every couple of minutes, until I tightened it back up. Normal?

Also, I only got about 3/4 turn before it just stopped. No more adjustment. Like it bottomed out ... ? Tried all different angles and it wouldn't go no more.

And I really didn't notice any difference to my vague steering after the fact either ... bummer ...

 

[steved]

I got no fluid loss, and I did not tighten the screw up completely (still had more adjustment)... maybe there is only so much adjustment in these boxes?

 

[hearingyourlies]

I have a 2006 and you have a 2004. 5 ... . possibly different boxes?

 

[Bob4x4]

A lil hint... ... ... . the new boxes are coming with double lock nuts.