somebody must know something about the steering box!!!!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wade · 11-13-2003, 07:57 PM

ok, no luck yesterday, so i'll try again. rumor has it that you can adjust the power steering box to make the steering tighter. if this is true, how is the best way to accomplish this? tips, advice, help,
useless info, i need it all thanks.

jays68yak · 11-13-2003, 08:00 PM

there is an adjustment on the top of the box. A bolt with a lock nut and a hex hole in the bolt its self. Not sure what it really does.

Sweet72 · 11-13-2003, 08:11 PM

The screw on top of your steering gear is the sector lash adjustment and it will take up some of the slack, unless the gears are really worn out. Turn it in till it gets tight ( I think there is a torque value) and then back it off a quarter turn or so. That should do the trick.

wade · 11-13-2003, 08:13 PM

thanks for the quick reply, yes iam aware of the adjustment screw on the box, i just need to know HOW adjust it, i hear that you can screw things up quite easily if you dont know what you are doing

Sweet72 · 11-13-2003, 08:14 PM

Oh, loosen the jam nut first and retighten when you've made your adjustment.

*67Fleetsidedream* · 11-13-2003, 08:20 PM

I suggest jacking the front up and allowing the steering wheel to move free clockwise and counter clockwise. Adjust the inner hex screw until the steering gets tight and then back it out a little to loosen it back up. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and all the way to the right and check for stiffness. Tighten the lock nut and you should be good to go.

Class of 69 · 11-13-2003, 08:22 PM

The only thing it will screw up, is if you get too tight. If the gears are worn bad in the centered position, and you tighten the screw, they will bind when you turn , and not let the wheels return to center. I always adjust mine with the wheels turned a little off center, to eliminate the possibility of binding.

**Stocker** · 11-13-2003, 08:58 PM

Good advice in above posts. Just make small adjustments and on the test drive, be aware that if it's too tight, the steering will bind up and not want to return to center. If that happens, simply loosen it a bit and try again.

jef5150 · 11-13-2003, 09:33 PM

you should check the condition of your ball joints & tie-rod ends "b-4" you do any adjustments,if theyre no good,that screw adjustment will do you no good,,,,

Longhorn Man · 11-14-2003, 12:44 AM

A good way to keep from over tightening it is to have an assistand sitting in the truck (engine off) and turning the wheel back and forth (gently) in the slop area. You keep an eye on the freeplay as you tighten it. If it looks just right, then you went too far, back it off 3/4 to one turn and test drive.

wade · 11-14-2003, 02:51 AM

thanks for all the info guys, i adjusted screw last night till tight and then backed it off,but not enough. on test drive it felt like it would go in what ever direction you pointed it in, and stay there. so i will loosen it off a crack and try again......thanks!!!!!!

jimfulco · 11-14-2003, 03:31 AM

http://www.monte-list.nu/tech/boxmesh.shtml

Jason71k10 · 11-14-2003, 12:37 PM

giddy-up! I heard it could be adjusted, but I thought it was more difficult than that. I'd go do it right now, but it's snowing like a mofo out there

Jason

*MJF* · 11-14-2003, 12:53 PM

One other thing to check if you have sloppy steering is to see if your steering box is tight. Mine ended up coming loose & made it look like there was a bunch of slop. I had someone turn the wheel while I watched things & the box was moving away from the frame an inch or so.

tom hand · 11-14-2003, 01:03 PM

Usally it does no good...All the slop will be in the center of the gear and if you take that out it will be too tight on the ends. If your box is loose, you will be looking for a new (or good used) one

bluec10 · 11-16-2003, 01:28 AM

If you want to get really technical about it...GM offers some resistance numbers in the factory shop manual. I adjusted my manual steering gear with a little fish scale. I hooked the scale on the steering wheel and tightened the lash adjuster until the reading was within factory spec. I've heard that overtightening can do some damage, so maybe that's why I was overcautious.

11-13-2003, 07:57 PM	#1
wade Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: calgary alberta, canada Posts: 21	somebody must know something about the steering box!!!!! ok, no luck yesterday, so i'll try again. rumor has it that you can adjust the power steering box to make the steering tighter. if this is true, how is the best way to accomplish this? tips, advice, help, useless info, i need it all thanks.

11-13-2003, 08:00 PM	#2
jays68yak Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Gilroy, CA Posts: 1,454	there is an adjustment on the top of the box. A bolt with a lock nut and a hex hole in the bolt its self. Not sure what it really does. __________________ 1969 Chevy Project SWB Fleet, 20s, 5.3, t56, in the weeds. 1970 Chevy Truck cab on a 1979 Jimmy frame-8.1 liter 496 bbc/sm465/np203-jeds doubler-np205/d60/14bff Welded/42 tsls on recentered H1s 1998 Chevy Crew Cab K3500 SAS'd with hpd60, links and swayaway coilovers. 8.1l vortec DD/towrig "I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. "

11-13-2003, 08:11 PM	#3
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	The screw on top of your steering gear is the sector lash adjustment and it will take up some of the slack, unless the gears are really worn out. Turn it in till it gets tight ( I think there is a torque value) and then back it off a quarter turn or so. That should do the trick. __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction.

11-13-2003, 08:14 PM	#5
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Oh, loosen the jam nut first and retighten when you've made your adjustment. __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction.

11-13-2003, 08:22 PM	#7
Class of 69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stillwater MN Posts: 1,166	The only thing it will screw up, is if you get too tight. If the gears are worn bad in the centered position, and you tighten the screw, they will bind when you turn , and not let the wheels return to center. I always adjust mine with the wheels turned a little off center, to eliminate the possibility of binding. __________________ 69 GMC K10 ..some restoration required....still..

11-13-2003, 08:13 PM	#4
wade Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: calgary alberta, canada Posts: 21	thanks for the quick reply, yes iam aware of the adjustment screw on the box, i just need to know HOW adjust it, i hear that you can screw things up quite easily if you dont know what you are doing

11-13-2003, 08:20 PM	#6
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	I suggest jacking the front up and allowing the steering wheel to move free clockwise and counter clockwise. Adjust the inner hex screw until the steering gets tight and then back it out a little to loosen it back up. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and all the way to the right and check for stiffness. Tighten the lock nut and you should be good to go.

11-13-2003, 08:58 PM	#8
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,692	Good advice in above posts. Just make small adjustments and on the test drive, be aware that if it's too tight, the steering will bind up and not want to return to center. If that happens, simply loosen it a bit and try again. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

11-13-2003, 09:33 PM	#9
jef5150 Inline 69 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: valleysprings,california Posts: 1,018	you should check the condition of your ball joints & tie-rod ends "b-4" you do any adjustments,if theyre no good,that screw adjustment will do you no good,,,,

11-14-2003, 12:44 AM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	A good way to keep from over tightening it is to have an assistand sitting in the truck (engine off) and turning the wheel back and forth (gently) in the slop area. You keep an eye on the freeplay as you tighten it. If it looks just right, then you went too far, back it off 3/4 to one turn and test drive.

11-14-2003, 02:51 AM	#11
wade Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: calgary alberta, canada Posts: 21	thanks for all the info guys, i adjusted screw last night till tight and then backed it off,but not enough. on test drive it felt like it would go in what ever direction you pointed it in, and stay there. so i will loosen it off a crack and try again......thanks!!!!!!

11-14-2003, 03:31 AM	#12
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	http://www.monte-list.nu/tech/boxmesh.shtml

11-14-2003, 12:37 PM	#13
Jason71k10 ready for reassembly Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Barrie ONT, Canada Posts: 413	giddy-up! I heard it could be adjusted, but I thought it was more difficult than that. I'd go do it right now, but it's snowing like a mofo out there Jason Attached Images __________________ stock 71 4x4 2003 Jeep Liberty, rocky mountain edition I'm obsessed, and wouldn't have it any other way!

11-14-2003, 12:53 PM	#14
MJF No longer truckless Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 299	One other thing to check if you have sloppy steering is to see if your steering box is tight. Mine ended up coming loose & made it look like there was a bunch of slop. I had someone turn the wheel while I watched things & the box was moving away from the frame an inch or so.

11-14-2003, 01:03 PM	#15
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	Usally it does no good...All the slop will be in the center of the gear and if you take that out it will be too tight on the ends. If your box is loose, you will be looking for a new (or good used) one __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS



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11-16-2003, 01:28 AM	#16
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	If you want to get really technical about it...GM offers some resistance numbers in the factory shop manual. I adjusted my manual steering gear with a little fish scale. I hooked the scale on the steering wheel and tightened the lash adjuster until the reading was within factory spec. I've heard that overtightening can do some damage, so maybe that's why I was overcautious. __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

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