am i drunk? it looks like it!

[jakeblues652]

so my truck's steering box is SLOPPPY! when you drive it, the people behind you must think that we just came from a party every time. is there an adjustment on the worm gear to tighten it up a bit? ive adjusted them on tractors, but never on a truck. i checked the tie rods, they were tight, i checked the ball joints-they're good too. it seems like all the slop is just because the box is loose.

[67chevy1series]

Originally Posted by jakeblues652

so my truck's steering box is SLOPPPY! when you drive it, the people behind you must think that we just came from a party every time. is there an adjustment on the worm gear to tighten it up a bit? ive adjusted them on tractors, but never on a truck. i checked the tie rods, they were tight, i checked the ball joints-they're good too. it seems like all the slop is just because the box is loose.

there is a rag joint that could be the problem o rit could be the pitman arm

[bosco200]

I had this problem on my 72 C20...I put a new coupler in and I turned the wheels in a bit and now it drives perfect.

[AirSpeed]

The steering box could also be loose on the frame, the mount is riveted to the frame and those rivets come loose sometimes. There is also an adjustment on the steering box. I have read that it's best to adjust it in a vise, I can't remember the reasoning but as I remember it the article I read had some string reasoning behind it.
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[jakeblues652]

i had someone look at it while i turned the wheel all the play it had, and i definatly looked like the steering box.

[Rack Man]

On my 70 there is a set screw on the steering box with a lock down nut on it.
You can adjust it and that takes the play out of your steering....

"Loosen the locknut on top of the box with a 5/8 wrench while using a screwdriver to keep the middle screw from turning. Now, turn the screw clockwise to remove slack and then hold it while tightening the locknut back up.

Don't tighten the screw too much though, or you'll get a stiff spot in the middle of the steering travel. If so, back it back off enough to make the steering turn smoothly lock to lock"


RM

[Stocker]

Check this recent thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=435037

If the adjuster helps your problem, at best you will buy a little time before replacing the box.
But the box will need to be replaced soon.

[jakeblues652]

thanks for the info!! this trucks more of just going to be a weekend driver until next october(ish) when i get my permit. otherwise, it dosent move without me in the cab. maybe i'll go to teeps(the local junkyard) and see what they have for steering boxes. its not like it could hurt to look, and if i find one thats tight, its free. that would be a score and a half.

[cdowns]

improper tightening of that adjustment screw can cause catestrophic failure of the steering box

a replacement box is a better idea

[Shane]

that jam nut and set screw is not designed to take WEAR out of the box ... it's there to adjust backlash out of the worm gear when the box is NEW ... listen to STOCKER & cdowns on this one.

[Sammy]

I have had a box fail on me while driving. It takes no prisoners and gives you very little warning what-so-ever. Luckly I was only doing 3 MPH pulling into a parking spot. There was no over riding the non power steering it was stuck in a hard left turn and refused to return to straight ahead. REPLACE IT.

[dan76]

Originally Posted by Sammy

I have had a box fail on me while driving. It takes no prisoners and gives you very little warning what-so-ever. Luckly I was only doing 3 MPH pulling into a parking spot. There was no over riding the non power steering it was stuck in a hard left turn and refused to return to straight ahead. REPLACE IT.

I've heard of this happening to other folks.........take heed and replace it. But also check the rest of the steering gear.

[legendary]

Originally Posted by Sammy

I have had a box fail on me while driving. It takes no prisoners and gives you very little warning what-so-ever....

There was no over riding the non power steering it was stuck in a hard left turn and refused to return to straight ahead. REPLACE IT.

My parents were nearly killed because of this very situation. On the interstate, doing about 60 mph in a Plymouth Valiant - steering ceased to work, and they ping-ponged into the underpass (left.......boom......right....boom) then rolled over 4 times. My father had no control of the steering, and that was the cause of it. Thank God for God.

Edit: This happened in 1988

[rusty baker]

Originally Posted by Rack Man

On my 70 there is a set screw on the steering box with a lock down nut on it.
You can adjust it and that takes the play out of your steering....

"Loosen the locknut on top of the box with a 5/8 wrench while using a screwdriver to keep the middle screw from turning. Now, turn the screw clockwise to remove slack and then hold it while tightening the locknut back up.

Don't tighten the screw too much though, or you'll get a stiff spot in the middle of the steering travel. If so, back it back off enough to make the steering turn smoothly lock to lock"


RM

Guess I'm lucky. Did this to mine about 10 years ago. No problems yet.

[rsavage]

Check to make sure that the 4 bolts that hold the box onto the frame are tight. I had a similar problem of wandering on my 4X4 even with new pitman arm, rag joint, drag link ends, tie rod ends, and a rebuilt PS box. Turned out that the box was loose. When I put it all together over a couple of days, I must have forgotten to torque the box bolts. Have someone turn the wheels back and forth slowly while you watch underneath.

[697498chevy]

Steering was sloppy in my '69 . Guy at work told me to tighten this same slotted screw on the box . I did and now I'm worried . This was a few years ago . Looked on Auto Zone site and found only power steering boxes . Where can I get a good/safe one ? THANKS !

[vectorit]

Save up a couple of hundred dollars and get a new rebuilt one.

Messing around with a 40+ year old steering gear is just asking for problems.
Believe me, I tried and it's just not worth the hassle.

Get a new one, and you can do the swap in 30 minutes.

[1969C10shortbed]

Originally Posted by jakeblues652

so my truck's steering box is SLOPPPY! when you drive it, the people behind you must think that we just came from a party every time. is there an adjustment on the worm gear to tighten it up a bit? ive adjusted them on tractors, but never on a truck. i checked the tie rods, they were tight, i checked the ball joints-they're good too. it seems like all the slop is just because the box is loose.

My truck does the same thing. My box needs to be rebuilt.