how much play should there be in a steering box

[pete29]

i recently bought a brand new remanufactured steering box and got it on and when it is running or when it is just setting there you can move it about a 1/4 turn. Just wondering if this is normal and how firm a remanufactured box should be. Also is there is any way to get the play out.

[Jtrux]

The play might be elsewhere too. The rag joints on the shaft might be worn out. Every box i've put on have been pretty solid.

[pete29]

No the out put shaft doesn't move

[ERASER5]

The rag joint still could be part of the problem. Have someone turn the wheel while you watch the joint. If that is OK, the the you can adjust the gears. Now, I would not be too happy about it as you just bought it, but push come to shove, I would adjust it. And I would contact the manufacturer.

[pete29]

how do you adjust it.

[ERASER5]

Originally Posted by pete29

how do you adjust it.

Look on the top of the steering unit. There is a jam nut on a allen head stud. Put a wrench on the nut and an allen wrench in the hole. Hold the allen wrench in place as you loosen the nut. Now tighten the allen wrench a little, tighten the jam nut, check for play. Too loose = much play. Too tight = binding and wheels will not "return-to-center". Like the three bears, you want the setting that is "just right!" I carried my 2 wrenches with me for about a week. I would stop about a mile down the road and do an adjustment. I probably made about 5 adjustments before I was happy. These were very small adjustments to get the right "feel."

[72lb4x4]

These aren't like the racks on the newer cars/trucks, but it seems like a lot of slop.

I'd say you need to start at the beginning, which is the rag joint and move to the last point, to see where things are going wrong.

Try having someone move the wheel back and forth while you observer the movement in the parts involved.

I think 4-wheeling tends to make the rag joint more flexible than desired...